FROM   THE   LIBRARY   OF 

REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY  HIM  TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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in  2011  with  funding  from 

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MAY    5    1932  ^ 
JUBILEE    SERMO 


CONTAINING 


A  HISTORY  OF  THE  ORIGIN 


FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORK, 


ITS   PROGRESS  DURING  THE  FIRST   FIFTY   YEARS  SINCE   ITS 
CONSTITUTION. 

Delivered  in  the  Meeting-house  of  said  Church,  Jan.  1,  1813. 

By  WM.  PARKINSON,  A.  M.,  Pastor. 


Thou  shalt  remember  all  the  way  which  the  Lord  thy  God  led  thee, 

Devt.  8  :  2. 

The  Lord  is  good  :  a  strong'  hold  in  the  day  of  trouble  ;  and  he  knowetb 
them  that  trust  in  him.  Nahvm  1  :  7, 


NEW-YORK 


RE- PUBLISHED     BY     A    FRIEND. 
John  Gray,  Printer. 

1846. 


JUBILEE    SERMON 


V^ea  Samuel  took  a  stone  and  set  it  between  Mizpeh  and  Shen,  and  called 
the  name  of  it  Eben-ezer,  saying,  Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  us.— 

1  Samuel  vii.  12. 

What  is  hare  rfir.ordRd  is  accounted  for  in  the 
history  with  which  it  is  connected.  From  this  his- 
tory it  appears  that  the  Israelites  had  then  been  long 
under  the  dominion  of  the  Philistines ;  who  had  not 
only  greatly  annoyed  them  by  advantages  taken  in 
war,  but  also  interrupted  and  suspended  their  pub- 
lic worship,  by  carrying  away  the  ark  of  the  Lord. (a) 
The  ark,  indeed,  they  did  not  long  detain  ;(b)  for, 
having  set  it  in  the  temple  of  Dagon,  probably,  as 
a  trophy  of  his  supposed  victory  over  the  God  of  the 
Hebrews,  Dagon  was  broken  to  pieces  before  it; 
and  wherever  they  placed  it,  a  plague  of  emerods 
was  upon  the  persons,  and  another  of  mice  upon  the 
fields  of  the  inhabitants,  (c)     The  Philistmes,  aftright- 

(a)  Chap.  5:1.       (&)  Only  seven  months,  chap.  6:1. 
(c)  Chap.  5  :  3,  4,  9,  and  chap.  6  :  5. 


ed  at  these  judgments,  assembled  their  lords,  their 
priests,  and  their  diviners,  at  whose  united  advice  the 
ark  was  sent  back  and  accompanied  with  valuable 
presents,  (r/)  It  was  set  down  in  the  field  of  Joshua, 
the  Beth-shemite.(e)  Here  again  the  indignation  of 
God  against  the  profanation  of  this  sacred  article, 
was  awfully  disj^layed  :  "fifty  thousand  threescore 
and  ten"  of  the  Beth-shemites,  for  curiously  looking 
into  it,  were  smitten  with  some  fearful  disease,  and 
many,  if  not  all  of  them,  with  death. (/)  Alarmed 
at  this,  the  Beth-shemites  sent  messengers  to  the 
inhabitants  of  Kirjath-jearim,  saying,  "  The  Phihs- 
tines  have  brought  again  the  ark  of  the  Lord ;  come 
ye  down  and  fetch  il  up  lu  you."(o')  The  men  of 
Kirjath-jearim  (as  related  verse  1  of  this  chap.) 
brought  it  up,  and  apparently,  without  any  appre- 
hensions, set  it  in  the  house  of  Abinadab.  Here  it 
abode  a  long  time,*  during  which,  under  the  labors 

(d)  Golden  images  of  the  emerods  and  mice.  Chap. 
5  :  3  and  chap.  G  ;  2,  3,  4,  5,  15. 

(c)  Chap.  6  :  18.     (/)  Chap.  6  :  19.     (g)  Chap.  6  :  21. 

*  Even  until  the  times  of  David, — yea  until  he  had  reign- 
ed seven  years  over  Judah,  and  was  made  king  over  all 
Israel:  1  Chron.  13  :  6,  7;  a  lapse  of  time  including  the 
government  hoth  of  Samuel  and  Saul,  and  could  not  have 
been  less  than  between  forty  and  fifty  years.  Consequently 
the  twenty  years  mentioned,  1  Sam.  7  :  2,  must  design  not 
all  the  time  the  ark  was  at  Kirjath-jearim ;  but  either  the 
time  it  was  there  before  much  noticed  by  the  Israelites,  or 
the  time  it  remained  there  after  they  were  brought  again  to 
8eek  the  Lord  in  the  use  of  it. 


of  Samuel,  the  Israelites  were  awakened  to  a  sense 
of  their  sad  condition,  and  caused  to  seek  their  for- 
saken God  by  means  of  it :  "  all  the  house  of  Israel, 
verse  2,  lamented  after  the  Lord."  There  may  be 
much  lamentation  without  any  amendment ;  there- 
fore, as  an  evidence  of  sincerity,  Samuel  required 
that  they  put  away  their  idols ;  and  which,  as  ap- 
pears from  the  3d  and  4th  verses  of  the  chapter,  they 
readily  did.  Now,  being  assembled  for  'public  hu- 
miliation and  prayer,  they  solemnly  confessed  their 
sins,  saying,  *'  We  have  sinned  against  the  Lord," 
ver.  6.  The  Lord  forgave  them,  as  is  evident  by 
his  interpositions  in  their  favor;  nevertheless,  the 
Philistines,  having  the  disposition,  not  of  the  Lord, 
but  of  Satan,  retained  their  ill-will  against  them  ; 
yea,  seem  to  have  been  the  more  exasperated  at  their 
penitence  ;  for  "  when  they  heard  that  the  children 
of  Israel  were  gathered  together  at  Mizpeh,"  for  the 
devotional  purposes  already  mentioned,  "  the  lords 
of  the  Philistines,"  with  their  forces,  "  went  up 
against  Israel."  The  Israelites  were  in  great  fear ; 
and,  sensible  that  none  but  God  could  deliver  and 
protect  them,  they  besought  Samuel  to  intercede  with 
him  in  theii-  behalf:  "  Cease  not,"  said  they  to  him, 
ver.  8,  "  to  cry  unto  the  Lord  our  God  for  us,  that 
he  will  save  us  out  of  the  hand  of  the  Philistines." 
"And,  ver.  9,  Samuel  took  a  sucking  lamb,  and 
offered  it  for  a  burnt-oiFering  wholly  unto  the  Lord ; 
and  Samuel  cried  unto  the  Lord ;  and  the  Lord  heard 
1* 


him."  Did  not  Samuel,  in  these  acts,  typify  Christ, 
who  took  liis  human  nature,  as  a  lamb  without  spot, 
and  offered  it  to  God  to  make  an  atonement  for  the 
sins  of  his  people, (A)  and  who  not  only  upon  the 
cross  cried  "  Father,  forgive  them,"  but  also,  having 
ascended  to  heaven,  *'  ever  liveth  to  make  interces- 
sion for  them?"  Heb.  7  :  25.  Let,  then,  spiritual 
Israelites,  amid  all  their  enemies,  and  under  all  their 
fears  and  discouragements,  have  recourse  to  their 
divine  intercessor ;  for  if  Samuel  was  heard,  how 
much  more  Christ  ?  That  Samuel  was  heard  is  man- 
ifest from  the  providence  which  followed  :  "As  Sam- 
uel, ver.  10,  was  offering  up  the  burnt-offering," 
accompanied,  as  appears  from  the  connexion,  with 
cries  to  God,  "the  Philistines  drew  near  to  battle 
against  Israel ;"  they  drew  near,  but  to  their  own 
ruin; — they  dreio  near,  "but  the  Lord  thundered 
with  a  great  thunder  on  that  day  upon  the  Philistines, 
and  discomfited  them."  This  thunder  storm  was 
the  accomplishment  of  Hannah's  prophecy ;  see 
chap.  2.  ver.  10,  and,  therefore,  notwithstanding  it 
may  have  proceeded,  as  in  common,  from  natural 
causes,  it,  nevertheless,  unquestionably  occurred  at 
that  particular  time  and  place,  and  to  accomplish  that 
particular  purpose,  by  the  special  appointment  of 
God.     According  to  Joscphus,*  the  thunder  was  at- 

{h)  Heb.  9  :  14.      1  Pet.  1  :  19. 
*L,  6.  c.  2.  §  2. 


tended  with  an  earthquake  ;  so  that  heaven  and  earth 
were  combined  to  effect  the  ruin  of  Israel's  enemies  ; 
for  the  terrible  lightning  which  accompanied  the  thun- 
der, while  it  struck  many  dead,  so  blinded  the  others 
that  they  could  not  see  their  way ;  and  the  earth,  at 
the  same  time,  opening  in  divers  places,  numbers  fell 
into  the  yawning  cavities  and  perished.  It  is  added, 
"  they  were  smitten  before  Israel ;"  not  by  Israel, 
observe,  but  before  Israel ;  for  they  were  discomfited 
by  the  lightning  and  the  earthquake  ;  and  which  was 
before  Israel,  both  as  to  place  and  time  ;  as  to  place, 
being  before  their  eyes,  and  as  to  time,  being  before 
they  went  out  against  them.  "  The  men  of  Israel," 
however,  encouraged  by  this  signal  interposition  of 
God,  "went  out  of  Mizpeh,  ver.  11,  and  pursued 
the  Philistines  (those  of  them  who  survived  the 
lightning  and  the  earthquake)  and  smote  them,  until 
they  came  unto  Beth-car,"  which  is  a  city  of  the 
Danites,  and  probably  twenty  or  thirty  miles  distant 
from  Mizpeh.* 

Now,  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  this  remark- 
able display  of  divine  power  and  goodness  in  favor 
of  Israel,  Samuel,  according  to  the  custom  of  Old 
Testament  times, (i)  erected  the  monument  mention- 

*  This  victory  was  another  and  a  very  considerable  ad- 
vance of  that  deliverance  from  the  power  of  the  Philistines 
which  God  had  promised  to  Israel,  and  which  he  began  to 
effect  by  the  instrumentality  of  Sampson,  Judges  13  :  5. 

(i)  Gen.  28  :  18,  31,  45,  and  35  :  14.  Josh.  4  :  3—9,  and 
24  :  26,  27. 


8 

ed  in  the  text.  "  Then  Samuel  took  a  stone,  and 
set  it  between  Mizpeh  and  Shen,  and  called  the  name 
of  it  Eben-ezer,"  that  is,  a  stone  ofhely,  "  saying,'^ 
as  explanatory  of  what  he  had  done,  '*  Hitherto  hath 
the  Lord  helped  us." 

With  a  similar  view,  and  in  conformity  to  the 
times  of  the  New  Testament,  I  have  composed  and 
now  deliver  this  sermon ;  the  object  of  which  is  to 
preserve  the  recollection  of  the  great  goodness  of 
God  to  this  church,  as  it  hath  appeared  in  the  prov- 
idences which  have  attended  the  same,  from  its  origin 
to  about  the  middle  of  the  last  year,* — a  year  which, 
by  way  of  allusion  to  an  Old  Testament  Institution, 
may  be  termed  its  Jubilee  Year,  being  the  fiftieth 
since  its  constitution. 

The  method  thought  to  be  the  best  calculated  to 
answer  the  end  proposed,  is  to  review 

I.  The  circumstances  which  led  to  the  constitution 
of  this  church,  and 

II.  The  circumstances  which  have  marked  its  pro- 
gress. 

I.  The  circumstances  which  led  to  the  constitution 
of  this  church. 

In  noticing  these  it  must  not  be  concealed,  that 

•  At  which  lime  it  had  been  intended  to  preach  the  ser- 
mon, but  the  want  of  some  necessary  information  prevented. 
That  period  having  past,  it  was  from  various  causes,  post- 
poned from  time  to  time,  until  finally  it  was  thought  expe- 
dient to  reserve  the  subject  for  this  day — a  day  on  which, 
annually,  we  make  a  collection  for  our  poor. 


although  the  church  whose  history  is  under  consider- 
ation, is  called  The  First  Baptist  Church  in  the  City 
of  New-  Yo7-k,  and  although,  compared  with  all  other 
churches  of  the  same  denomination  now  in  the  place, 
it  is  in  fact  so,  yet  that  a  small  society  called  a  Bap- 
tist church  had  once  existed  here,  but  was  dissolved, 
before  the  formation  of  this  church.  That  society, 
however,  consisted  of  p'ofessed  Arminians,  and  was 
denominated  a  Baptist  church  merely  from  the  char- 
acteristic ordinance  of  baptism.  The  founders  of  it 
were  a  Mr.  Wickenden,  of  Providence  ;  a  Mr.  Whit- 
man, of  Groton  ;  and  a  Mr.  Ayres,  probably,  a  native 
of  this  place ;  all  of  whom  were  Arminian  Baptist 
preachers.  Mr.  Wickenden  first  preached  here 
about  the  year  1709,  and  here  suffered  three  months' 
imprisonment ;  occasioned,  according  to  the  best  in- 
formation we  can  obtain,  by  his  having  preached  with- 
out a  license  from  an  officer  of  the  crown.  Mr.  Whit- 
man came  hither  in  the  year  1712,  by  invitation  of 
Mr.  Ayres,  who  had  providentially  heard  him,  and 
continued  his  visits  for  about  two  years.  His  place 
of  preaching  was  Mr.  Ayres'  dwelling  house.  Under 
his  ministry  many  became  serious,  and  some  pro- 
fessed a  hope  in  Christ,  among  whom  was  Mr.  Ayres, 
his  host.     Of  these,  seven  males  and  five  females,* 

*  Viz :  Nicholas  Ayres,  (mentioned  above,)  Nathaniel 
Morey,  Anthony  Webb,  John  Howes,  Edward  Hoyter, 
Cornelius  Stephens,  James  Daneman,  Elizabeth  Morey, 
Hannah  Wright,  Esther  Cowley,  Martha  Stephens,  Mrs. 
Miller. 


10 

were  baptized  by  Mr.  Whitman,  in  1714,  and  who 
are  the  first  known  to  have  been  baptized  in  this  city. 
Having  apprehensions  from  the  mob,  they,  with  the 
administrator,  assembled  at  the  water  in  the  night, 
when  the  five  females  were  baptized  ;  but  during  the 
administration  of  the  ordinance  to  them,  these  words 
of  Christ,  *'  No  man  doeth  any  thing  in  secret  when 
he  himself  seeketh  to  be  known  openly,"(^)  were  so 
impressed  upon  the  mind  of  Mr.  Ayres,  as  to  con- 
vince him  that  it  was  not  his  duty  to  be  baptized  in 
that  secret  manner :  he  mentioned  his  impression  to 
the  six  brethren  standing  with  him,  and  they  all 
agreed  to  put  off  their  design  till  morning :  in  the 
morning  Mr.  Ayres  waited  on  the  governor ;  (Wil- 
liam Burnet ;)  related  the  case  to  him  and  soHcited 
protection  :  the  governor  promised  that  the  request 
should  be  granted,  and  was  as  good  as  his  word ;  for, 
at  the  time  appointed,  he,  accompanied  by  many  of 
the  most  respectable  inhabitants  of  the  city,  attended 
at  the  water,  and  the  ordinance  was  performed  in 
peace ;  the  governor,  as  he  stood  by,  was  heard  to 
say,  "This  was  the  ancient  manner  of  baptizing; 
and  is,  in  my  opinion,  much  preferable  to  the  prac- 
tice of  modern  times."  These  baptized  persons 
called  Mr.  Ayres  to  preach  to  them ;  and  in  Sep- 
tember, 1724,  they  were  constituted  a  church,  and 
he  was  ordained  their  pastor,  by  Elders  Valentine 
Whitman,  of  Groton,  and  Daniel  Whitman,  of  New- 

(k)  John  7  ;  4. 


11 

Port.  Under  his  ministry,  the  audience  so  increas- 
ed, that  a  private  house  could  not  hold  them  :  where- 
fore they  purchased  a  lot  on  Golden  Hill,  (not  far 
from  that  on  which  this  house  stands)  and  thereon 
built  a  place  for  worship,*  in  the  year  1728.  To  the 
twelve  persons  already  mentioned,  there  were  six 
added  under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Ayres.t  Mr.  Ayres 
remained  their  pastor  seven  years ;  when,  Oct.  31, 
1731,  he  resigned  the  care  of  them,  and  removed  to 
Newport,  R.  I.,  where  he  died.  After  him  a  Mr. 
John  Stephens  preached  to  them  and  baptized  six 
persons.!  But  Mr.  Stephens  quitting  them  to  go  to 
S.  Carolina,  and  their  meeting  house  being  claimed 
and. sold  as  private  property,  by  one  of  the  trustees, 
the  Arminian  Church,  consisting  then  of  twenty -four 
members,  dissolved ;  having  existed  about  eight  years. 
The  present  church  in  this  place,  originated  in  the 
manner  following :  About  the  year  1745,  Mr.  Jere- 
miah Dodge,  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Fish- 
Kill,  settled  in  this  city,  and  opened  a  prayer  meet- 
ing in  his  own  house :  at  this  meeting  some  of  those 
who  had  been  members  of  the  former  church,  attend- 

*  According  to  the  maps  of  that  day  fronting  in  Cliff-street. 

f  Viz  :  William  Ball,  Ahasuerus  Windal,  (of  Albany,) 
Abigail  and  Dinah  North,  (of  Newtown,)  Martha  Walton, 
(of  Staten  Island,)  and  Richard  Stilwell,  junr. 

X  Viz :  Robert  North,  Mary  Murphy,  Hannah  French, 
Mary  Stilwell,  and  two  others  whose  names  we  cannot  now 
ascertain. 


12 

ed,  and  occasionally  officiated ;  but  as  they  were 
Arminians,  and  Mr.  Dodge  a  strict  adherent  to  the 
doctrines  of  grace,  they  enjoyed  but  little  satisfaction 
together.  Some  time  in  the  same  year,  1745,  El- 
der Benjamin  Miller,  of  the  Scotch  Plains,  visited 
the  city  (probably  at  the  invitation  of  Mr.  Dodge) 
and  baptized  Mr.  Joseph  Meeks.*  Thenceforward 
the  prayer  meeting  was  held  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Meeks  and  that  of  Mr.  Dodge  alternately  ;  and  these 
two  brethren  and  Mr.  Robert  North  (formerly  of  the 
Arminian  church)  united  in  giving  an  invitation  to 
Mr.  John  Pine  (a  licentiate  in  the  church  at  Fishkill) 
to  come  and  preach  to  them.  His  labors  were  ren- 
dered useful ;  partly  in  reconciling  some  of  the  for- 
mer church  to  the  doctrines  of  grace,  and  partly,  in 
the  conversion  of  others. t  His  place  of  preaching 
appears  to  have  been,  chiefly,  the  dwelling  house  of 
Mr.  Meeks.  In  1750  Mr.  Pine  died :  after  which 
they  were  visited  by  Elder  James  Carman  (of  Cran- 
berry) who  baptized  at  different  times,  until  their 
number  was  increased  to  thirteen ;  when  they  were 
advised  to  join  themselves  to  the  church  at  the  Scotch 
Plains,  so  as  to  be  considered  a  branch  of  that  church, 

*  Mr.  Meeks  became  one  of  the  constituents  of  this 
church,  and  remained  an  esteemed  and  useful  member  un- 
til his  death;  he  died  Oct.  6,  1782 ;  aged  73  years. 

f  Among  whom  were  John  Carman  and  Nehemiah  Oak- 
ly ;  who  were  baptized  by  Elder  Halstead,  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Fishkill. 


13 

and  to  have  their  pastor  (Elder  Benjamin  Miller)  to 
preach  and  administer  the  Lord's  supper  to  them 
once  a  quarter.  This  was  effected  in  1753.  Mr. 
Miller  had  visited  them  but  a  few  times,  when  the 
congregation  became  too  large  to  be  accommodated 
in  any  j^rivate  house,  that  was  at  their  service,  and 
therefore  they  hired,  as  the  best  and  most  commo- 
dious place  their  circumstances  enabled  them  to  pro- 
cure, a  rigging  loft  in  Cart  and  Ho7'se-street*  which 
they  fitted  up  for  public  worship.  Here  they  statedly 
assembled  for  three  or  four  years ;  when,  this  place 
being  otherwise  disposed  of  by  the  owner,  they  (such 
of  them  as  could  be  accommodated)  returned  to  the 
dwelling  house  of  Mr.  Joseph  Meeks ;  where  they 
continued  to  hold  their  meetings  for  about  one  year.t 
Then  they  purchased  a  part  of  the  ground  on  w^hich 
the  house  we  now  occupy  stands,  and  erected  upon 


*  So  called  from  a  very  noted  and  conspicuous  sign  of  a 
cart  and  horse  hanging  in  it :  it  is  now  called  William-street. 

f  Thus  far  this  history,  particularly  in  what  relates  to  the 
Arminian  church,  is  taken  from  a  manuscript  left  by  Elder 
Morgan  Edwards,  deceased,  once  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church  in  Philadelphia.  Henceforward  the  facts  related 
are  collected,  principally,  from  the  records  of  the  church, 
letters  to  Associations  and  Association  minutes :  in  some  in- 
stances from  tradition :  in  the  latter  part  many  things  are 
said  from  personal  knowledge ;  and  when,  in  any  part  of 
the  history,  other  publications  have  been  relied  on,  they  are 
referred  to. 

2 


14 

it  a  small  meeting  house,  which  was  opened  on  the 
14th  of  March,  1760.* 

Having  then  a  place  for  public  worship,  and  their 
number  being  increased  to  twenty-seven,  they  soli- 
cited and  obtained  from  the  church  at  the  Scotch 
Plains,  a  letter  of  dismission,  bearing  date  the  12th 
of  June,  1762  ;  and  on  the  19th  of  the  same  month 
they  were  constituted  a  church,  by  the  assistance  of 
Elders  Benjamin  Miller  and  John  Gano.t 

The  doctrines  in  the  belief  and  profession  of  which 
this  church  was  constituted,  and  which  she  still  main- 
tains and  professes,  are  contained  in  the  Baptist  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  printed  in  London,  in  the  year  1688. 

*  The  land  now  belonging  to  this  church,  on  Golden  Hill, 
consists  of  five  lots  purchased  at  three  several  limes,  viz : 
in  1759,  1772,  and  177?;  containing  about  125  feet  by  100. 
The  lots,  as  purchased,  were  conveyed  to  certain  individu- 
als to  hold  in  trust.  In  1784  the  church  was  incorporated, 
and  in  1785  the  said  lots  were  conveyed  to  the  corporation. 

f  Names  of  the  constituents:  John  Carman,  Jeremiah 
Dodge,  Andrew  Thompson,  Samuel  Edmunds,  John  De- 
gray,  Elias  Bailey,  Joseph  Meeks,  William  Colegrove, 
Samuel  Dodge,  Catharine  Degray,  Mary  Stilwell,  Hannah 
Hoyter,  Hannah  French,  Mary  Morphy,  Margaret  Dodge, 
Sarah  Meeks,  Sarah  Thompson,  Jane  Caswell,  Mary  Ed- 
munds, Susanna  Myers,  Susanna  Caligan,  Ruth  Prince, 
Mary  Smith,  Elizabeth  Van  Dyke,  Margaret  Simmons, 
Rachel  Wilson,  Catharine  Lennon :  of  whom  Samuel  Ed- 
munds is  the  only  one  now  living;  he  resides  at  Hudson, 
and  is  a  member  of  the  church  at  Pleasant  Valley,  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  Elder  Levi  Hall. 


15 

However,  as  some  may  read  this  discourse,  who 
have  not  seen  that  Confession  of  Faith,  it  is  thought 
expedient  to  give  the  following  summary  of  the  views 
of  this  church,  on  such  subjects  as  are  chiefly  dis- 
puted.* 

The  Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, we  receive  as  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  (a) 
and  as  our  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice.  (6)  Ac- 
cording to  these  holy  oracles.  We  believe,  that  there 
is  one  God  ;(c)  that  there  is  not  another  ;(d)  and  yet 
that  this  one  God  subsisteth  in  three  equal  persons, 
the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Ghost, (e)  and 
that  HE  is  perfectly  comprehended  by  none  but  him- 
self:(/)  That  HE  alone,  created  the  heavens  and 
the  earth  with  all  the  creatures  they  contain  ;(g) 
that  man  was  made  upright,  and  so  able  to  keep  the 
law  under  which  he  was  placed  ;(A)  but,  being  left 
to  the  freedom  of  his  own  will,  he  transgressed  that 
law,  and  thereby  fell  into  a  state  of  depravity  and 


*  In  preaching  the  sermon,  this  summary  of  doctrine  was 
omitted. 

(a)  2  Tim.  3  :  15—17.     2  Pet.  1  :  21. 

(6)  Johns  :  39.  Acts  17:  11.  lPet.4;ll.  2  Pet.  1 :  19,20. 

<c)  Deut.  6:4.      1  Tim.  2  :  5. 

(d)  Exod.  20  :  3—5.     1  Cor.  8  :  6. 

(e)  Isai.  48  :  16.     1  John  5  :  7.     Matt.  28  :  19. 
(/)  Job  11  :  7.     Isai.  40  :  28. 

Ig)  Gen.  1  : 1  and  2  : 1.     Acts  17  :  24—26. 
(h)  Gen.  1  :  17.     Ecc.  7  :  29. 


16 

condemnation  :(^)  That  the  first  man  (Adam)  was 
constituted  a  pubUc  head  and  representative  of  all 
his  posterity  ',{k)  and  consequently  that  when  he  fell 
they  all  fell  with  him  into  the  same  condition  ;(Z) 
That  mankind,  in  their  fallen  state,  are  totally  and 
universally  depraved  ;(»i)  and,  as  such,  have  neither 
abihty  nor  inclination  to  return  to  God  :{n)  That 
man,  although  he  hath  sinned  away  his  power  to 
keep  the  law  of  God,  is,  notwithstanding,  under  ob- 
ligation to  keep  it  ;(o)  and  that  upon  pain  of  endur- 
ing its  curse  :(p)  That  God,  in  justifying  and  par- 
doning any  of  the  fallen  race  of  mankind,  has  no 
respect  to  any  good  works  to  be  done  by  them,  either 
before  or  after  regeneration  \{q)  but  alone  to  the  mer- 
its of  the  life  and  death  of  Christ,  which  he  (God  the 
Father)  imputes  to  them,  as  the  only  meritorious 
cause  of  their  justification  and  pardon  :(r)  That  good 
works,  though  they  have  no  influence  in  our  justifi- 
cation and  pardon,  are,  nevertheless,  to  be  enjoin- 
ed(s)  and  observed  as  useful,  both  before  and  after 


(i)  Gen.  3  :  6.     Ps.  14  :  3.     John  3  :  18. 
{Ic)  Rom.  5  :  17.         [1)  Rom.  5  ;  12,  18, 19. 
(m)  Ps.  53  :  3.     Rom.  3  :  10, 19. 

\n)  Jer.  13  ;  23.     John  6  :  44.     Job  21  :  14.    John  5  :  40. 
(o)  Deut.  5  :  7.     Luke  10  :  25—27.         {p)  Gal.  3  :  10. 
{q)  Ezek.  36  :  31,  32.     Luke  17  :  10. 
(r)  Isai.  43  :  25.     Jer.  23  :  6,      Rom.  3  :  21—28,  and  4  : 
3—6,  25,  and  5  :  19,  21.     Acts  13  :  39. 

(5)  Ezek.  2  :  3—5.     Isai.  1 :  16, 17.     2  Cor.  5  :  11. 


17 

conversion  ;(t)  before  conversion  they  are  useful  as 
to  ourselves  and  families,  so  to  civil  society  in  com- 
mon ;(?/)  and  after  conversion  they  are  useful,  not 
only  for  the  same  reasons,  but  also  as  they  are  essen- 
tial to  manifest  both  to  ourselves  and  others,  that  our 
faith  is  genuine, (lij)  and  especially  to  show  forth  the 
praises  of  him  who  hath  called  us  out  of  darkness 
into  his  marvellous  light  :(:r)  That  the  gospel,  which 
reveals  the  divine  purpose  and  method  to  save  sin- 
ners,(2/)  through  the  incarnation,  obedience  and  sac- 
rifice of  Christ,(z)  the  second  person  in  the  eternal 
Godhead,  is  to  be  published  to  mankind  in  com- 
mon ;(a)  but  that  regeneration,  faith  in  Christ,  and 
repentance  for  sin,  which  are  essential  to  the  enjoy- 
ment of  God, (6)  and  the  performance  of  his  accepta- 
h\e{c)  service  ;  as  also  perseverance  in  grace  to  glory, 
which  is  certain  of  all  the  regenerate,  (c?)  are  given 

{t)  1  Tim.  4  :  8,  and  6  :  31 .     Prov.  23  :  20—22. 

(w)  Prov.  27  :  2,  and  28  :  4.     Ecc.  9  :  17,  18. 

{w)  Matt.  7:16.  2  Cor.  5  ;  17.  1  John  3  :  8,.  10,  14. 
James  2  :  10. 

(x)  Matt.  5  :  13—16.  1  Cor.  6  :  20.  Eph.  2  :  10.  Titus 
2  :  14,  and  3:8.     1  Pet.  1  :  2,  9. 

{y)  2  TuTi.  1  :  10. 

(2)  Gen.  3  :  15.  Isai.  7  :  14.  Matt.  1  :  21,  and  5  :  17. 
iPet.  3:18. 

(a)  Ma«.  28  :  19.     Mark  16  :  15.     Luke  24  :  47. 

(&)  John3:3.     1  Pet.  1  :  8.     Luke  13  :  3. 

(c)  Rom.  8:8.     Heb.  11:6. 

(d)  Rom.  8  :  17,  30.     John  10  :  28,  29. 

2* 


18 

only  through  the  irresistible (e)  operations  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  the  third  person  in  the  adorable  Trinity,  and 
that  they  are  given  by  God  the  Father,  according  to 
his  personal  and  eternal  election  of  his  people  in 
Christ :(/)  That  baptism  and  the  Lord's  supper  are 
ordinances  peculiar  to  the  gospel  dispensation,(o') 
and  are  to  be  observed  till  the  second  coming  of 
Christ  :(h) — That  those  only  who  give  scriptural  evi- 
dence of  faith  in  Christ,  are  to  be  baptized, (t)  receiv- 
ed into  the  visible  church,(Z:)  and  admitted  to  the 
Lord's  table  :{l) — That  nothing  is  a  scriptural  admin- 
istration of  the  gospel  ordinance  of  baptism  but  the 
total  immersion(??i)  of  the  subject  in  water,  in  the 
name  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  and  by  a  man  duly  au- 


(e)  John  3:8.  2  Cor.  4  :  6.  Acts  11  :  18.  Eph.  2  :  8. 
Acts  5  :  31. 

(/)  Ps.  110  :  3.  John  6  :  37,  39.  Rom.  8  :  29.  Acts 
13  :  48.  Eph.  1  :  3—14.  1  Thess.  5:9.  2  Tim.  1  :  9. 
Titus  3  :  5. 

(g)  Luke  16  :  16.  Matt.  3  :  1—17,  and  28  :  19,  and  26  : 
26—28. 

{h)  Matt,  28  J  20.     1  Cor.  11  :  26. 

(i)  Matt.  28  :  19.     Mark  16  :  16.     Acts  8  :  12,  37. 

{k)  2  Cor.  6  :  14—18. 

(Z)  Acts  2  :  41,  42.     1  Cor.  11  :  28,  29. 

(m)  This  only  answers  to  the  primary  meaning  of  the 
word  baptize,  the  word  by  which,  in  our  language,  the  act 
in  question  is  signified  ;  and  to  a  burial,  the  figure  by  whicli 
this  act  is  set  forth  :  Rom.  6  :  4.  See  the  example  of  Christ, 
Mark  1  :  9,  and  the  baptism  of  the  eunuch.  Acts  38  :  39. 


19 

thorized  to  administer  ordinances  '.{n) — That  the  only 
officers  belonging  to  a  gospel  church  are  bishops  and 
deacons  ;{o)  and  that  every  gospel  church,  regularly 
constituted,  has  the  power  of  self  government,  being 
bound  only  by  the  word  of  God  :(p) — iVnd,  finally, 
that  there  wull  be  a  resurrection  both  of  the  just  and 
unjust,(5)  a  general  judgment,(r)  and  an  eternal  sep- 
aration between  the  righteous  and  the  wicked ;  the 
latter  being  banished  to  everlasting  misery  and  the 
former  being  received  into  everlasting  happiness.(5) 

Having  noticed  the  circumstances  which  led  to  the 
constitution  of  this  church,  and  given  a  summary  of 
its  articles  of  faith,  I  proceed  to  notice 

(n)  Matt.  28  :  19. 

(o)  Philip.  1  :  1.  Bishops,  or  overseers,  are  pastors  and 
elders,  Acts  20  :  17,  28. 

(p)  If  the  power   of  ecclesiastical  government  be  not  in 
the  church,  where  is  it  ?     Certainly  not  in  the  world,  John 
18  :  36 ;  nor  in  pastors,  1  Pet.  5:3;  nor  in  associations ; 
for  much  soever  as  may  be  said  in  favor  of  their  expediency, 
no  such  bodies  are  recognised  in  scripture.     The  churches, 
indeed,  for  the  solution  of  a  difficulty,  sent  up  to  Jerusalem, 
to  the  apostles,  Acts  15  :  1,  2;  and  churches  now  may,  ie. 
eflfect,  do  the  same ;  the  authority  of  the  apostles,  in  their 
written  decisions,  being  still  in  full  force  :  see  Matt.  28  :  20 
compared  with  Matt.  19  :  28,  and  Luke  22  :  30.     More 
over  an  apostle  exhorts  churches  to  govern :  see  Rom.  14: 
l,and  1  Cor.  5  :  12,  13. 

{q)  John  5  :  28,  29.     Acts  26  :  8.     1  Cor.  15  :  22,  23. 

(r)  Acts  17  :  31.     2  Cor.  5  :  10. 

(s)  Luke  16  :  26.     Matt.  25  :  32—46 


so 

11.  The  circumstances  which  have  marked  its  pro- 
gress. These  have  been  numerous  and  various, 
prosperous  and  adverse. 

After  the  solemnities  of  the  constitution,  on  the 
same  day,  two  deacons*  were  elected,  and  a  clerkt 
to  minute  and  record  the  proceedings  of  the  church. 

*  John  Carman,  deceased,  and  Samuel  Edmunds,  dis- 
missed. 

Those  elected  deacons  of  this  church  at  several  times 
since :  elected  at  dates  not  ascertained ;  Samuel  Dodge, 
deceased,  Andrew  Thompson,  deceased,  and  William 
Lawson,  resigned  ;  still  a  worthy  member  of  the  church. 
Elected  at  the  dates  following:  Feb.  27,  1787,  Thomas 
Sloo  and  Thomas  Longly, — both  dismissed  ;  they  removed 
to  Kentucky.  April  29,  1788,  Jonathan  Conrey,  declined 
accepting  the  office, — deceased  ;  and  Abraham  Cannon, 
deceased.  May  the  6th,  1788,  William  Thompson,  dis- 
missed, and  William  Norris,  excluded.  Nov.  2,  1790,  John 
Bedient.  Jan.  17,  1801,  Eliakim  Ford,  dismissed  to  the 
church  at  Stamford.  Sept.  12,  1806,  James  Duffie,  Sam- 
uel F.  Randolph,  William  Willess,  and  Thomas  Hanes ; 
(the  last  named  resigned,  and  has  since  been  excluded.)  Oct. 
4,  1808,  Peter  Conrey  and  John  Tiebout;  Leonard  Bleeck- 
er,  and  William  Mcintosh ;  (resigned.)  Feb.  6,  1808,  Rose- 
well  Graves,  and  Nicholas  B.  Lyon. 

Present  deacons  :  John  Bedient,  James  Duffie,  Samuel 
F.  Randolph,  William  Willess,  Peter  Conrey,  John  Tie- 
bout,  Rosewell  Graves,  and  Nicholas  B.  Lyon. 

f  Samuel  Dodge.  He  remained  clerk,  notwithstanding 
his  after  election  as  a  deacon,  till  May  28,  1804,  when  he 
resigned,  on  account  of  being  about  to  remove  to  Poughkeep- 
Bie,  where  he  died  Oct  4,  1807,  aged  seventy-seven  years, 


21 

On  the  same  day,  likewise,  Elder  John  Gano,  (be- 
fore mentioned  as  one  of  the  officiating  ministers  at 
the  constitution,)  having  presented  a  letter  certifying 
his  regular  dismission  from  a  Baptist  church  at  the 
Yadkin,  N.  Carolina,  and  being  thereupon  received 
as  a  member,  was,  unanimously,  called  to  take  upon 
him  the  pastoral  charge  of  this  church.  The  gift  of 
a  pastor,  especially  of  such  a  pastor,  at  the  very  time 
of  the  constitution,  w^as  a  favor  which  laid  the  church 
under  more  than  common  obligations,  to  the  great 
''  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  souls."  As  a  man,  Mr. 
Gano  was  then  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  as  a  preacher, 
his  "  praise  was  in  all  the  churches.'"*     His  labors 

five  months,  and  twenty-five  days.  He  was  an  unblemish- 
ed member  of  the  church  from  the  constitution  till  his  death  ; 
and  both  a  deacon  and  the  clerk  of  the  church  for  upwards 
of  forty  years.  When  he  resigned  as  clerk,  deacon  John 
Bedient  was  chosen  in  his  slead,  who  remained  in  the  office 
till  July  4,  1809,  when  he  resigned,  and  deacon  Rosewell 
Graves  was  chosen,  who  is  now  clerk  of  this  church. 

*  Mr.  Gano — of  French  descent — was  born  at  Hopewell, 
New- Jersey,  July  22d,  1727.  He  was  called  to  the  minis- 
try in  Hopewell  church,  and  there  ordained  May  29th, 
1754  :  his  ordination  sermon,  preached  by  Mr.  Isaac  Eaton, 
A.  M.,  was  printed.  From  Hopewell  he  removed  toMor- 
ristown,  where  he  tarried  about  two  years.  From  thence 
he  removed  to  the  Yadkin,  N.  Carolina,  where  be  was  in- 
strumental in  raising  a  pretty  large  church,  which  was  bro- 
ken up  in  the  war  of  1756,  and  he  and  his  family  were 
obliged  to  fly  for  their  lives  from  the  ravages  of  the  Indians. 
—MS.  left  by  Elder  Morgan  Edwards. 


22 

soon  attracted  public  notice,  and  occasioned  such  an 
increase  of  hearers,  as  rendered  it  necessary  for  the 
church  to  enlarge  their  meeting  house  ;  and  which 
they  did  in  1763.  The  exact  dimensions  of  the 
house  when  first  built,  I  have  not  learned  ;  but  as 
enlarged  it  measured  d2  feet  by  42  ;  and  which  was 
generally  well  filled,  and  often  too  small.  Nor  were 
the  people  hearers  of  the  word  only  ;  for  it  was  the 
pleasure  of  God  so  to  attend  his  own  truth,  as  deliver- 
ed by  his  servant,  that  many  were  turned  to  the  Lord, 
and  added  to  the  church. 

On  the  11th  of  Oct.  1763,  this  church,  consisting 
then  of  forty-one  members,  and  being  in  a  peaceable 
and  flourishing  condition,  was  received  into  the  Phi- 
ladelphia Association.*     It  would  afford  me  great 


*  Of  which  she  remained  a  member  till  Oct.  1790  ;  when 
she  look  a  dismission  from  that  venerahle  body,  with  a  view 
of  uniting  with  other  churches  in  an  association  in  this  city. 
This  church,  accordingly,  sent  a  circular  letter  to  neighbor- 
ing churches,  soliciting  them  to  meet  in  New- York,  by 
representation,  on  Tuesday  the  12th  of  April  following,  to 
deliberate  on  forming  an  association.  The  ministers  and 
other  messengers  of  seven  churches,  viz  :  the  church  at  the 
Scotch  Plains,  the  church  at  Oyster  Bay,  L.  I.,  the  church 
at  Morristown,  N.  J.,  the  church  at  Connoe-Brook,  (now 
Northfield)  the  church  on  Staten  Island,  and  the  Jirst  and 
second  churches  in  New- York  ;  the  latter  of  which  is  now 
called  Bethel,  met  on  the  day  appointed ;  when  a  plan  for 
an  association,  previously  drawn  up,  was  laid  before  them ; 
which  they  adopted,  and  ordered  to  be  printed  with  the 


23 

pleasure  could  I  proceed  in  the  history  of  this  branch 
of  Zion,  especially  at  so  early  a  period  of  its  exist- 
ence, without  having  to  relate  some  disagreeable,  as 
well  as  agreeable  occurrences  ;  but  I  cannot ;  nor 
should  it  be  expected  :  for  Satan,  as  he  is  a  stranger 
to  peace  himself,  so,  as  far  as  permitted,  he  is  ever 
exerting  his  influence  to  banish  that  blessing  from  the 
bosoms  and  societies  of  God's  people.  Alas  !  that 
he  should  so  often  succeed  !  especially  that  he  should 
succeed  by  means  of  professors  themselves  !  and 
even  by  men  professing  to  be  ministers  of  the  gospel 
of  peace  !  !  By  means  of  such  men,  however,  he 
succeeded  to  the  great  disturbance  of  this  church  ; 
as  appears  by  certain  circumstances  recorded  by  El- 
der Gano.  "  During  my  residence  in  this  place," 
saith  he,  (speaking  of  New- York,)  "  the  church  were 
in  love  and  harmony,  except  a  few  difficulties  that 
took  place,  by  the  arrival  of  two  or  three  preachers 


minutes  of  their  proceedings,  and  circulated  for  the  consid- 
eration of  other  churches.  They  adjourned  to  Oct.  19th, 
1791,  when  the  said  seven  churches  again  met  by  their  del- 
egates, and  formally  united  under  the  name  of  the  New- 
York  Baptist  Association.  The  first  meeting  of  this 
association  was  held  Oct.  31st,  1792,  when  five  other 
churches,  viz  :  Piscataway,  Lyon's  Farms,  Mount  Bethel, 
Potohog,  and  Sag  Harbor  were  added.  [The  first  churcJi 
in  New- York  then  consisted  of  two  hundred  members.]  The 
association  then  adjourned  to  meet  on  the  last  Wednesday 
but  one  in  May,  1793,  which  has  been  the  time  of  its  an- 
nual meeting  ever  since. 


24 

from  England."*  These  men,  as  appears  from  his 
account  of  them,  each  in  turn,  aimed  to  divide  this 
church  ;  and  ahhough  they  failed  of  accomplishing 
their  object,  they  nevertheless,  occasioned  much 
trouble  in  the  attempt. 

Soon  after,  the  church  was  considerably  agitated 
by  a  difference  of  opinion  about  the  management  of 
psalmody.  It  had  been  the  usage  of  the  church  to 
have  the  lines  parcelled  out ;  but  a  large  majority 
becoming  in  favor  of  singing  from  books,  as  we  now 
do,  a  resolution  was  past  to  adopt  this  mode  ;  where- 
upon the  minority,  consisting  of  fourteen,!  took  dis- 
missions, and  having  obtained  the  approbation  of  the 
church  they  had  left,  on  June  5th,  1790,  they  were 
constituted  under  the  name  of  the  Second  Baptist 
Church  in  Neiv-YorJc,  by  Elders  Miller  and  Gano.| 

*  The  men  of  whom  Mr.  Gano  speaks,  were  John  Mur- 
ray,   Dawson,  and  John  Allen.  Life  of  Gano,  writ- 
ten by  himself.     Page  88. 

f  Viz:  Jeremiah  Dodge,  and  Margaret,  his  wife  ;  Fran- 
cis Van  Dyke,  and  Elizabeth,  his  wife  ;  Joseph  Fox ;  Ad- 
am Todd  ;  Nicholas  Andresea ;  Nathaniel  Tylee,  and  Han- 
nah, his  wife;  Phebe  Moss;  Elizabeth  White;  Hannah 
Burdge  ;  Ann  Millen  ;  Ann  Angevine. 

t  The  first  pastor  of  this  church  was  Elder  John  Dodge, 
a  native  of  Long  Island.  He  was  born  Feb.  22d,  1738,  and 
was  bred  to  physic.  He  became  a  Baptist  in  Baltimore, 
under  the  ministry  of  Elder  John  Davis.  From  thence  he 
came  to  New- York,  and  joined  the  second  church,  where  he 
was  licensed  to  preach  Jan.  14,  1771.  As  there  is  now  no 
Baptist  church  in  New-York  distinguished  as  the  second^ 


25 

Notwithstanding  these  and  some  other  unpleasant 
circumstances,  this  church  continued  to  be  comfort- 
ed and  increased  under  the  administration  of  the 
word,  until  the  revolutionary  war  ;  during  which  El- 
der Gano  was  a  chaplain  in  the  army,  the  church  in 
a  dispersed  condition,  and  its  records  suspended. 
The  last  time  Mr.  Gano  administered  baptism  before 
he  went  into  the  army,  was  on  April  28,  1776,*  and 
the  first  time  after  his  return,  was  on  Sept.  Jtth, 
1784.t 

Were  I  disposed  to  attempt  a  description  of  this 
city  and  its  inhabitants,  at  the  time  the  army  was 
disbanded,  I  would  invite  your  attention  to  the  subr 
ject  in  these  words  of  the  Psalmist :  "  Come,  behold 
the  works  of  the  Lord,  what  desolations  he  hath 
made  in  the  earth  ;"  but  I  forbear  ;  and  confine  ray- 
self  to  the  church.  Of  this  Mr.  Gano  expresses  him- 
self thus  :  "  We  collected  of  our  church  about  thir- 
ty-seven members  out  of  upwards  of  two  hundred ; 
some  being  dead,  and  others  scattered  into  almost 
every  part  of  the  Union. "| 

The  meeting  house  also  of  this  church,  in  com- 


the  reader  will  naturally  inquire,  what  has  become  of  it  t 
For  an  answer  he  is  referred  to  the  note  on  pages  32,  33. 

*  The  subject  was  Hannah  Stilwell. 

f  The  subjects  were  John  Bedient,  now  a  deacon  of  the 
church,  and  Samuel  Jones. 

X  Life  of  Gano,  written  by  himself:  p.  116,  117. 

3 


26 

mon  with  other  houses  of  worship  in  the  city,  had 
sustained  great  injury.*  The  church,  however,  soon 
had  it  repaired  ;  at  least  so  as  to  be  occupied  ;  when 
Mr.  Gano,  who  is  said  to  have  been  remarkable  for 
selecting  subjects  suited  to  special  occasions,  preach- 
ed a  very  appropriate  sermon  from  these  words: 
-**  Who  is  left  among  you  that  saw  this  house  in  her 
first iglory  ?  and  how  do  you  see  it  now  ?  is  it  not  in 
yotir  eyes  in  comparison  of  it  as  nothing?"  Hag. 
2:3. 

The  church,  thus  happily  restored  to  her  public 
privileges,  was,  in  a  short  time,  raised  to  a  more 
flourishing  condition  than  she  had  ever  enjoyed  be- 
fore :  most  of  the  members  who  had  been  scattered 
abroad,  were,  in  the  course  of  Providence,  brought 
back  to  the  city  and  to  the  church  ;  and  the  circum- 
stance of  so  long  a  separation,  and  a  review  of  the 
toils,  the  dangers  and  the  privations  sustained  during 
tjie  war,  made  the  blessings  of  peace  and  of  christian 
society,  peculiarly  valuable  and  pleasant ;  every  heart 
glowed  with  gratitude, — every  countenance  express- 
ed satisfaction  and  pleasure, — and  every  meeting  was 
a  solemn,  thankful,  and  joyful  assembly.  The  congre- 
gation also  was  greatly  increased  ;  and,  to  crown  all, 
the  word  preached  was  accompanied  with  "  the  pow- 
er of  the  Holy  Ghost  sent  down  from  heaven  ;"  so 
that  frequent  and  pretty  numerous  additions  were 

♦  Having  been  used  as  a  horse  stable. 


27 

made  to  the  church  of  such  whose  after  conduct  gavi 
reason  to  beheve  that  they  "  knew  the  grace  of  God 
in  truth."* 

Now,  however,  in  the  midst  of  prosperity,  an  event 
occurred,  which  greatly  afflicted  this  church  and  so- 
ciety ;  viz  :  the  removal  of  their  beloved  pastor.  At 
a  meeting  of  business,  on  the  evening  of  Sept.  30, 
1787,  Elder  Gano  informed  the  church  that  he  had 
had  it  in  contemplation  for  some  months  past  to  re- 
move to  Kentucky,  and  that  he  had  finally  conclu- 
ded upon  leaving  them  the  ensuing  spring.  The 
church,  exceedingly  unwilling  to  be  deprived  of  his 
faithful  services,  strove  hard  to  retain  him  ;  but  with- 
out success.  On  the  evening  of  April  22d,  1788,  he 
and  eight  others,  who  were  going  with  him,  took  dis- 
missions from  the  church.  The  last  time  Elder  Ga- 
no administered  baptism,  as  the  pastor  of  this  church, 
was  on  Saturday,  April  5th,  1788.  On  the  after- 
noon of  Lord's  day,  the  4th  of  May  following,  he  ad- 
ministered the  Lord's  supper,  and  in  the  evening  of 
the  same  day,  took  his  final  leave  of  the  church  and 
congregation,  by  preaching  an  affectionate  and  very 


*  The  letter  from  this  church  to  the  Association  at  Phil- 
adelphia, in  1785,  states,  that  during  the  preceding  year, 
fifty-two  persons  had  been  received ;  one  by  letter  from 
Hopewell,  one  baptized  in  Connecticut,  and  fifty  baptized 
in  this  city.  The  letters  to  the  same  body  in  1786  and  '87, 
state,  the  former  an  addition  of  forty-one,  and  the  latter  an 
addition  of  twenty-nine  baptized. 


28 

affecting  sermon  from  these  words  : — Fare  ye  well ! 
Acts  15  :  29.  On  the  next  day  he  took  his  depar- 
ture with  his  family  from  the  city,  bound  for  Ken- 
tucky ;  and  landed  safely  at  Limestone,  on  the  17th 
of  June  following.* 

The  church  was  then  dependent  on  supplies ;  such 
as  a  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  could  pro- 
cure. One  of  the  supplies  procured,  was  Mr.  (af- 
terward Dr.)  Benjamin  Foster,t  who  was  then  pas- 


•  Mr.  Ganowas  the  pastor  of  this  church  about  twenty- 
six  years.  During  his  ministry  the  church  had  297  bap- 
tized, and  23  received  by  letter. 

f  Mr.  Foster  was  born  at  Danvers,  Essex  county,  Mass. 
June  12th,  1750;  and  agreeably  to  the  custom  of  that  state, 
received  the  rudiments  of  learning  at  the  town  school.  He 
professed  to  have  had  serious  impressions  about  eternal 
things  very  early  in  life,  but  not  to  have  been  brought  into 
the  liberty  of  God's  children  until  about  twenty  years  of  age. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  entered  Yale  College,  in  the  state 
of  Connecticut,  then  under  the  direction  of  the  learned  and 
pious  Dr.  Dagget.  His  parents  were  respectable  members 
of  the  congregational  church,  and  he  had  been  brought  up 
with  strong  and  conscientious  prejudices  in  favor  of  the  sen- 
timents of  that  denomination.  From  these  prejudices  he 
was  delivered  in  the  following  manner.  While  he  was  at 
college  several  polemic  tracts  on  the  subjects  and  mode  of 
baptism  made  their  appearance.  The  matter  of  them  oc- 
casioned so  much  agitation  and  |>rivate  debates  among  the 
students,  that  at  length  the  question  on  the  proper  subjects 
and  mode  of  that  ordinance  was  fixed  on  as  a  subject  of  pub- 
lic discussion.     Mr.  Foster  was  appointed  to  defend  infant 


29 

tor  of  a  Baptist  church  at  Newport,  R.  I.  With 
him  the  church  and  society,  generally,  were  pleased  ; 
and  it  appeared  likely  that,  under  his  ministry,  they 


•sprinkling.  To  prepare  himself  for  the  dispute  he  used  the 
utmost  exertion.  He  endeavored  to  view  the  question  in 
every  light  in  which  he  could  possibly  place  it ;  he  careful- 
ly searched  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  examiued  the  history 
of  the  church  from  the  apostles'  times.  The  result,  howev- 
er, was  very  different  from  what  had  been  expected  ;  for 
when  the  day  appointed  for  discussion  arrived,  he  was  so 
far  trom  being  prepared  to  defend  infant  sprinkling,  that,  to 
the  great  astonishment  of  the  officers  of  the  college,  he 
avowed  himself  a  decided  convert  to  the  doctrine  that  only 
those  who  profess  faith  in  Christ  are  the  subjects,  and  that 
immersion  only  is  the  mode  of  christian  baptism  ;  and  of 
which  he  continued,  ever  after,  a  stead}^  zealous  and  pow- 
erful advocate^  He  graduated  about  the  year  1772.  Soon 
after,  he  was  baptized  and  received  a  member  of  the  first 
Baptist  church  in  Boston,  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of 
Dr.  Samuel  Stillman,  under  whom  also  he  studied  divinity. 
He  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Baptist 
church  at  Leicester,  Massachusetts,  v/here  he  continued 
several  years,  and  then  removed  to  Newport,  R.  I.,  whence 
he  was  called  by  this  church.  In  the  year  1792,  the  de- 
gree of  D.  D.  w-as  conferred  on  him  by  the  college  of  Rhode 
Island,  in  consequence  of  a  learned  publication  of  his,  enti- 
tled, "A  Dissertation  on  the  seventy  weeks  of  Daniel," 
6cc.  Dr.  Foster  was  considered  as,  in  general,  a  learned 
man,  but  as  excelling,  chiefly,  in  the  oriental  languages. 

The  fol!»owing  inscription  upon   a  handsome  marble  is 
placed  over  his  grave,  in  the  burying  ground  of  this  church. 
"  As  a  scholar  and  divine  he  excelled ;  as  a  preacher  he 
3* 


30 

would  be  happily  united.  Under  this  impression,  on 
the  evening  of  the  26th  of  July,  1788,  the  church, 
being  assembled  to  deliberate  on  the  subject,  appoint- 
ed a  committee*  to  have  a  special  conference  with 
him  on  the  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  and  the  circum- 
stances of  his  relation  to  the  church  at  Newport ;  and, 
if  no  obstacle  appeared,  to  present  him  a  call,  in  the 
name  of  the  church,  to  become  their  pastor.  Mr. 
Foster  being  then  in  the  city,  the  committee  saw 
him  the  next  day  ;  and,  being  satisfied,  by  a  conver- 
sation with  him,  that  nothing  existed  to  render  the 
measure  improper,  they  presented  to  him  the  call  of 
the  church.  He  told  them  that  the  main  question  he 
could  not  immediately  answer;  but  that  he  would 
answer  it  in  writing,  as  soon  as  he  could  feel  decided 
in  his  own  mind.  On  the  15th  of  September  follow- 
ing, the  committee  received  a  letter  from  him,  in- 
forming them  that  he  had  accepted  the  call  of  the 


was  eminent;  as  a  christian  he  shone  conspicuously.  In 
his  piety  he  was  fervent.  The  church  was  comforted  by 
his  life,  and  now  laments  his  death." 

This  biographical  sketch  of  Dr.  Foster  is,  as  to  substance, 
extracted  from  Hardie's  Biographical  Dictionary,  publish- 
ed New- York,  1801. 

*  Of  thirteen,  viz :  Samuel  Dodge,  Benjamin  Mon- 
tooye,  Ezekiel  Bobbins,  William  Norris,  William  Thomp- 
son, John  Bedient,  Jonathan  Conrey,  John  Duffie,  Abra- 
ham Cannon,  Zebulon  Barton,  William  Durell,  Hugh 
Montgomery,  Thomas  Garniss. 


31 

church ;  and  on  the  26th  of  the  same  month,  he  ar- 
rived with  his  family  in  the  city.* 

Dr.  Foster's  ministry  here,  though  not  long,  and 
though  generally  acceptable,  was,  nevertheless  at- 
tended with  some  considerable  trials,  both  to  himself 
and  the  church.  He  had  preached  here  but  a  few 
months,  when  certain  members  of  the  church  pro- 
fessed to  discover  in  his  sermons,  some  traits  of 
what  was  then  called  New  Divinity.  What  the  sen- 
timents objected  to  in  the  Dr.'s  sermons  were,  and 
whether  orthodox  or  heterodox,  I  shall  not  attempt  to 
decide ;  having  never  heard  him  preach,  nor  read 
any  thing  written  by  him  on  doctrinal  subjects.  The 
difficulty,  however,  continued  and  increased  until  it 
became,  necessarily,  a  subject  of  consideration  and 
discipline  in  the  church  ;  and,  after  much  forbear- 
ance and  labor,  on  the  evening  of  January  27,  1789, 
thirteen  persons  were  excluded. t 


*  On  the  day  of  their  arrival  here,  Mr.  Foster  and  his 
wife  were  both  inoculated  with  the  small  pox,  which  delay- 
ed his  entering  on  the  duties  of  his  office  until  the  2d  of  De- 
cember following,  when  he  and  his  wife,  upon  satisfactory 
letters  of  dismission,  were  received  as  members  of  this 
church,  and  he  took  upon  him  the  pastoral  charge  of  the 
same. 

f  It  is  with  extreme  reluctance  that  any  notice  is  taken 
of  this  antiquated  affair ;  but  as  the  nature  of  the  discourse 
rendered  such  notice  inevitable,  it  is  thought  a  duty  to  all 
concerned  to  make  the  following  observations.  The  said 
thirteen  persons  were  not  considered  as  censurable  for  op- 


B2 

Others  remained  restless,  and  occasioned  much 
disturbance  in  the  church,  until,  after  many  meet- 
ings and  endeavors,  without  success,  to  effect  a  re- 
conciliation, on  the  21st  of  January,  1790,  it  was  re- 
solved that  all  dissatisfied  under  the  ministry  of  Dr. 
Foster  should  have  liberty  (notwithstanding  the  im- 
proper temper  which  many  of  them  had  manifested 
during  the  discussion)  to  take  letters  of  dismission, 
either  to  join  the  other  Baptist  church  in  the  city,  or 
to  become  a  new  church,  as  they  might  prefer ; 
whereupon  twenty  persons  took  dismissions.* 


posing  what  they  thought  to  be  error,  nor,  having  failed  of 
effecting  a  change,  for  seeking  to  be  separated,  in  some 
proper  manner  from  the  church  ;  but  for  the  temper  discov- 
ered and  the  means  employed  ;  also  for  not  taking  meas- 
ures to  be  reconciled  to  their  brethren,  after  being  put  away. 
To  this  latter  fault  it  is  supposed  they  were  tempted,  by  a 
readiness  discovered  in  the  second  church  to  receive  them  ; 
for  that  church,  instead  of  saying,  "  go  be  reconciled  to  your 
brethren,"  received  them  as  in  good  standing.  This  occa- 
sioned a  difficulty  between  the  two  churches;  which,  how- 
ever, was  settled  in  May,  1790.  The  mischief  arising  from 
churches  receiving  persons  excluded  from  other  churches  of 
the  same  denomination,  is  incalculable.  Extraordinary 
cases,  nevertheless,  may  occur,  in  which  it  may  be  expedi- 
ent for  churches  to  receive  such  persons ;  particularly,  when 
the  church  which  had  excluded  a  person  shall  have  dissolv- 
ed ;  in  which  case  the  person,  however  penitent,  can  have 
no  opportunity  of  being  reconciled  and  restored  to  the 
church  that  had  excluded  him. 

*  Of  these  two  returned,  and  eighteen  joined  the  second 


33 

This  difficulty  being  terminated,  the  church  ap- 
pears to  have  enjoyed  much  harmony,  and  to  have 
had  no  special  cause  of  tribulation,  throughout  the 
remaining  part  of  Dr.  Foster's  life  ;  which  ended  on 
Lord's  day  morning,  August  26th,  1798.  He  died 
of  the  yellow  fever,  in  the  forty-eighth  year  of  his 
age  ;  having  been  about  twenty-two  years  an  ordain- 
ed minister,  and  nine  years  and  about  nine  months 
the  pastor  of  this  church.* 


church.  Soon  after  receiving  these,  and  the  thirteen  men- 
tioned before,  [p.  31,]  that  church  fell  into  a  state  of  con- 
tention, and  sometime  in  the  year  1790  divided ;  each 
branch  claiming  the  distinction  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church 
in  New-  York.  After  contending  this  claim  for  a  consider- 
able time,  they  were  both  prevailed  on  to  relinquish  it ;  the 
branch  that  remained  assuming  the  distinction  of  the  Bethel 
Baptist  Church,  represented  on  the  minutes  of  the  New- 
York  Baptist  Association,  as  constituted  in  the  year  1770, 
and  which  is  now  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Elder  Daniel 
Hall ;  and  the  other,  represented  on  the  minutes  of  the 
same  association  as  constituted  in  the  year  1791,  assumed 
the  distinction  oi  the  Baptist  Church  in  Fayette- street,  which 
is  now  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Elder  John  Williams.  See 
page  24. 

*  Dr.  Foster,  notwithstanding  the  difference  of  opinion 
which  existed  respecting  his  sentiments,  and  the  difficulties 
hence  arising,  was  highly  respected  by  his  literary  and  re- 
ligious acquaintance,  both  as  a  scliolar  and  a  preacher  ;  and 
although  no  remarkable  revival  took  place  under  his  minis- 
try in  this  city,  yet  there  was  a  gradual  addition  to  the 
church  almost  every  year  he  was  pastor.     He  baptized  in 


34 

Now,  again,  the  church  was  dependent  on  sup- 
plies ;  and  on  the  evening  of  September  27, 1793,  it 
was  agreed  that  Mr.  WiUiarn  Collier,  then  a  member 
and  licentiate  in  the  second  Baptist  church  in  Bos- 
ton, be  inv^ited  to  serve  as  a  supply  until  the  first  of 
May  following,  which  invitation  he  accepted.  At  the 
expiration  of  that  time,  Mr.  Collier  was  invited  to 
continue  six  months  longer,  but  declined,  on  ac- 
count of  ill  health.  Now  for  about  one  year,  the 
church  was  supplied  only  in  a  desultory  manner,  by 
neighboring  and  travelling  ministers,  when  Mr.  Col- 
lier, who  in  the  mean  time  had  been  ordained,  was 
invited  to  officiate  as  pastor  for  at  least  one  year.  He 
accepted  the  invitation,  and  arrived  here  on  the  14th 
of  October,  1800. 

Some  time  in  the  following  winter,  the  corpora- 
tion of  the  church,  by  and  with  the  consent  of  the 
church,  came  to  a  resolution  to  build  a  new  meeting 
house,  the  old  one  having  become  so  much  decayed 
that  it  was  judged  to  be  unsafe  any  longer  to  occupy 
it.     The  old  house  was  taken  down  in  March,  1801, 


1789  nineteen ;  in  1790,  twenty-two ;  in  1791,  nine ;  in 
1792,  nine;  in  1793,  seven;  in  1794,  seven;  in  1795, 
twelve;  in  1796,  six  ;  in  1797,  one;  in  1798,  eighteen. 
The  aggregate  increase  of  the  church  in  his  time  was,  to  be 
sure,  small ;  but  this  was  owing  to  dismissions,  exclusions, 
and  deaths.  The  church,  when  he  became  pastor,  consist- 
ed of  one  hundred  and  ninety-four  members,  and  when  he 
died,  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-five. 


35 

and  the  new  one  opened  on  Lord's  day,  the  2d  of 
May,  1802  ;  on  which  occasion,  after  prayer  by  the 
pastor,  Mr.  ColKer,  an  appropriate  discourse,  from 
Ex.  20  :  24,  was  deUvered  by  Dr.  Stephen  Gano,  of 
Providence.* 

Mr.  ColUer,  by  repeated  agreements  between  him 
and  the  church,  continued  to  officiate  as  pastor  for 
more  than  three  years.  During  this  time,  however, 
the  church  observing  the  duties  of  his  situation  to  ex- 
ceed his  strength,  resolved,  that  it  was  expedient  to 
procure  some  young  man  as  a  co-pastor,  and  accord- 
ingly procured  Mr.  Jeremiah  Chaplin. t  He  arrived 
here  Jan.  10,  1804;  but  previous  to  his  arrival,  Mr. 
Collier  had  received  and  accepted  a  call  from  the 
church  at  Charlestown,  Mass.,  intending  to  remove 
thither  the  following  spring.  Accordingly,  on  Lord's 
day,  April  S,  1804,  he  preached  his  farewell  sermon 
in  this  place,  from  Acts  20  :  32,  and  on  the  12th  of 


*  While  the  new  house  was  building,  the  church  and 
congregation  were  favored  with  the  use  of  what  is  called  the 
French  Church,  in  Pine-street,  to  meet  in  for  worship. 

The  foundation  of  this  house,  without  any  ceremony,  was 
begun  about  the  first  of  April,  1801,  and  the  whole  build- 
ing was  completed  within  a  little  more  than  one  year.  It 
measures  80  feet  by  65.  It  cost,  including  its  furniture, 
about  $25,000.  Of  the  ground  on  which  it  stands,  see  p.  14. 

f  Of  Danvers,  Mass.  A  young  man  of  unblemished 
reputation,  of  a  strong  mind,  of  liberal  acquirements,  and 
of  more  than  ordinary  application. 


36 

the  same  month  sailed  with  his  family  for  Providence, 
on  the  way  to  his  new  charge.* 

The  church,  being  then  without  any  ordained  min- 
ister, solicited  Mr.  Chaplin  to  receive  ordination  and 
to  take  upon  him  the  pastoral  charge.  After  due 
deliberation  he  agreed  to  be  ordained,  but  not  im- 
mediately, as  the  pastor  of  this  church.  Arrange- 
ments were  then  made  for  his  ordination,  which  took 
place  in  this  meeting  house,  May  23,  1804.t 

The  church  still  indulged  a  hope  that  Mr.  Chaplin 
would  accept  their  call,  and  become  their  pastor; 
but  God,  who  '*  hath  determined  the  times  before 
appointed,  and  the  bounds  of  our  habitation,"  had 
otherwise  ordered :  but  a  few  months  had  elapsed 
when  Mr.  Chaplin,  becoming  strangely  dissatisfied 
in  his  mind,  and  being  solicited  to  return  to  Dan- 
vers,  laid  before  the  church  a  letter,  in  which  he  de- 
clined the  acceptance  of  their  call.  The  church, 
still  willing  to  pursue  their  object,  appointed  a  commit- 
tee to  confer  with  and  endeavor  to  prevail  on  him  to 
continue  ;  but  he,  feeling  it  to  be  his  duty  to  go,  and 


*  Mr.  Collier  was  esteemed  by  the  church  and  congrega- 
tion, as  possessing  a  decent  education,  and  as  being  a  young 
man  of  good  morals  and  motives. 

f  Dr.  Thomas  Baldwin,  of  Boston,  preached  the  ordina- 
tion sermon,  from  Daniel  12  :  3.  Dr.  Samuel  Jones,  of 
Pennypack,  prayed  at  the  laying  on  of  hands,  Dr.  Stephen 
Gano,  of  Providence,  gave  the  charge,  and  Elder  John  Wil- 
liams, of  this  city,  gave  the  right  hand  of  fellowship. 


37 

willing  to  avoid  all  temptations  to  the  contrary,  left 
the  city,  without  giving  any  opportunity  for  further 
solicitation. 

The  remaining  part  of  this  history,  a?  it  is  insep- 
ai'ably  connected  with  ray  own  ministry,  I  enter  upon 
with  considerable  diffidence  ;  it  being,  as  every  one 
knows,  impossible  for  a  man  to  speak  of  himself, 
either  favorably  or  otherwise,  without  being  subject  to 
misconstruction  and  misrepresentation.  The  task, 
however,  at  all  hazards,  must  be  performed. 

On  the  6th  of  November,  1S04,  the  church,  ac- 
cording to  their  records  of  that  date,  assembled  in 
their  destitute  condition,  to  deliberate  on  the  impor- 
tant subject  of  procuring  a  pastor.  As  I,  at  their  in- 
vitation, had  visited  them  in  the  spring  of  1802,  and 
spent  two  Lord's  days  with  them,*  they  of  course  had 
some  knowledge  of  me  ;  and,  from  considerations 
best  known  to  themselves,  they  agreed  to  send  for 
me  to  spend  three,  four,   five,  or  six  months  with 


*  On  leaving  the  city,  I  gave  a  promise  to  a  committee, 
appointed  by  the  church  to  confer  with  me  on  the  subject, 
that  if  I  could  reconcile  it  with  duty,  I  would  return  and 
epend  a  few  months  with  the  church,  the  object  of  which  on 
their  part,  I  understood  to  be  a  trial  of  my  qualifications  as 
pastor;  but  finding  on  my  arrival  at  home,  an  increasing 
demand  for  itinerant  preaching,  and  my  wife  not  only  un- 
willing, but  apparently  determined  never  to  go  to  New- 
York,  I  at  once  relinquished  the  idea  of  going,  and  commu- 
nicated my  decision  to  the  committee. 

4 


38 

them,  as  I  might  find  most  convenient ;  that  so,  by 
mutual  observation  and  experience,  we  might  have 
an  opportunity  to  judge  whether  it  was  agreeable  to 
the  will  of  God  that  we  should  enter  into  the  relation 
of  pastor  and  people.  Their  letter  of  invitation  I  re- 
ceived at  Fredericktown,  Md.,  on  the  17th  of  the 
same  month,  by  the  hands  of  their  worthy  messenger, 
Mr.  Jonathan  Weeden.  My  circumstances  at  that 
particular  period  were  so  ordered  in  Holy  Provi- 
dence, that  all  obstacles*  which  had  existed  in  the 


*  Two  of  these  I  think  it  a  duty  to  mention,  as  serving  to 
show  the  special  concern  of  Providence  in  my  coming  to 
this  place.  First,  my  sphere  of  labor  :  Though  the  pastor 
of  the  church  at  Fredericktown,  Md.,  yet,  by  agreement,  I 
was  not  expected  to  spend  wiih  them  more  than  one  Lord's 
day  in  every  monih ;  and  therefore,  commonly,  had  almost 
daily  appointments  published  for  at  least  a  month,  and  often 
two  months  ahead  ;  v/hlch,  at  any  other  time  than  that  at 
which  the  invitation  came,  would  have  prevented  compli- 
ance. Secondly,  the  uniform  determination  of  my  wife  not 
to  remove  from  among  her  relations,  especially  not  to  settle 
in  a  city.  Now,  however,  both  these  obstacles  were  re- 
moved ;  so  far,  at  least  as  they  had  operated  in  the  way 
of  a  visit,  for  a  few  months  to  this  place ;  for  I,  being  just 
in  a  state  of  recovery  from  a  severe  illness  of  near  three 
months,  had  made  no  appointments ;  and  the  Lord  having, 
in  the  time  of  my  illness,  removed  by  death  our  only  child, 
a  daughter  of  about  twenty  months  old,  my  wife,  overwhelm- 
ed with  distress  at  the  loss,  seemed  for  a  time  to  forget  her 
attachments  to  the  place  of  her  nativity,  and  to  consider  a 
journey  as  rather  desirable  than  otherwise. 


way  of  my  accepting  the  invitation  were  removed  ;  I 
accepted  it  accordingly,  and  arrived  here  on  the  20th 
of  December  following,  I  came,  not  only,  as  the 
nature  of  the  invitation  implied,  without  knowing 
whether  it  would  be  the  wish  of  the  church  that  I 
should  settle  wuth  them,  but  also  without  any  inten- 
tion to  do  so.  My  intention  was  only  to  spend  the 
winter  season  here,  and  then  to  return  to  my  former 
and  favorite  course  of  itinerary  labors.  Soon,  how- 
ever, I  began  to  have  doubts  as  to  the  correctness  of 
my  purpose  ;  for  although  no  instances  of  awaken- 
ing appeared  for  some  months,  yet  I  thought  I  per- 
ceived, not  only  an  increase  of  hearers  and  atten- 
tion, but  also  a  growth  of  mutual  attachment,  between 
the  people  and  myself.  I  felt  them  much  upon  my 
heart  in  prayer  and  preaching,  and  their  conversation 
and  conduct  sufficiently  manifested  that  they  felt  an 
interest  in  my  labors. 

When  I  had  been  here  but  about  six  weeks,  the 
church,  by  a  committee,*  presented  me  a  call  to  be- 
come their  pastor,  bearing  date  February  8,  1S05. 
This  act,  although  it  appeared  rather  premature,  was, 
notwithstanding,  on  their  part,  such  an  expression  of 
satisfaction  and  confidence,  as  could  not  fail  to  in- 
crease both  my  attachment  to  them,  and  my  doubts 
as  to  the  propriety  of  leaving  them.  I  then  wrote  to 
several  ministers  and  other  christian  friends,  solicit- 

*  John  Duffie,  John  Bedient,  and  Jonathan  Weeden. 


40 

ing  their  prayers  and  advice  ;  and  found,  from  their 
answers,  that  they  were  all  of  opinion,  that  "  the  thing 
proceeded  from  the  Lord."  I  was  also  considerably 
influenced  by  the  conversation  of  such  as  I  supposed 
to  be  God's  children,  not  only  of  this  church,  but  al- 
so of  other  churches,  both  in  the  city  and  in  the 
country  ;  and  especially,  by  the  manner  in  which  they 
were  led  to  pray  that  I  might  see  it  to  be  my  duty  to 
remain  here.*  My  suspense  continued  ;  "  And,"  to 
adopt  the  language  of  Paul  to  the  Corinthians,  "  I 
was  with  you,"  brethren,  '*  in  weakness,  and  in  fear, 
and  in  much  trembling  :"  in  weakness ^  being  just  in  a 
state  of  recovery  from  a  long  and  severe  illness  ; — in 
fear,  lest  I  should  make  a  wTong  decision  ; — and  in 
much  trembling,  under  a  sense  of  my  insufficiency  for 
so  great  a  work.  "  My  speech  and  my  preaching," 
as  you  well  recollect,  "  was  not  with  enticing  words 
of  man's  wisdom,"  for  which  I  neither  had  nor  have 
either  ability  or  inclination,  "but,"  to  the  praise  of 
divine  grace,  "in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of 


*  I  remember  to  have  been  peculiarly  impressed,  in  one 
of  our  society  meetings,  under  a  prayer  by  Elder  William 
Vanhorn,  then  pastor  of  the  church  at  the  Scotch  Plains  ;  in 
which,  after  several  other  petitions  on  the  same  subject,  he 
likened  my  mission  to  this  city  to  that  of  Jonah  to  Nineveh, 
and  prayed,  seemingly,  with  more  than  common  fervor» 
that  I  might  not,  like  Jonah,  run  away  from  the  work  of  the 
Lord. 


41 

power.^'(a)     Of  this,  some  in  the  present  assembly 
are  livins^  witnesses. 

This  testimony  of  the  Spirit,  began  to  appear  in 
the  latter  part  of  February,  and  gradually  increased 
until  the  vast  change  upon  the  face  of  nature,  at  the 
breaking  up  of  a  severe  winter,  and  the  ushering  in 
of  a  beautiful  spring  and  a  fruitful  summer,  was  but 
a  just  emblem  of  what  was  seen  and  felt  in  this  church 
and  congregation.  What  is  said  of  the  gospel  dis- 
pensation in  common  might  then,  with  a  propriety 
seldom  exceeded,  have  been  accommodated  to  this 
place,*  and  to  this  people  in  particular :  "  Lo  the 
winter  is  past,  the  rain  is  over  and  gone  ;  the  flowers 
appear  on  the  earth  ;  the  time  of  the  singing  of  bii'ds 
is  come,  and  the  voice  of  the  Turtle  is  heard  in  our 
land." (6)  What  beamings  of  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness !  what  meltings  of  icy  hearts  !  and  what  flow- 
ings  of  penitential  tears  !  what  blossoms  and  buds  of 
quickening  grace !  what  fruits  and  effects  of  living 
faith !  and  what  rejoicing  and  singing  of  new-born 
souls,  were  then  witnessed  here  ?  And  why  ?  Be- 
cause the  voice  of  the  Turtle,  the  voice  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  attending  the  gospel,  was  heard  in  our  land — 
heard  by  many  poor  sinners,  not  only  convincing 
them  of  "  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  a  judgment  to 

(a)   1  Cor.  3  :  4.         (h)  Cant.  2:11,  12. 

*  The  revival  was  not  confined  to  this  church :  most  of 
the  churches  in  the  city  shared  in  it ;  particularly  that  in 
Fayette-street. 

4* 


42 

come,"  but  also  testifying  pardon  to  their  guilty  con- 
sciences and  communicating  peace  to  their  broken 
hearts,  through  the  precious  blood  of  the  precious 
Redeemer.  Scenes  were  then  opened  and  impres- 
sions made  which  can  never  be  forgotten ;  which 
now,  indeed,  we  recollect  with  a  mournful  pleasure, 
each  saying  with  Job,  "  O  that  I  were  as  in  months 
past ;"  but  which  we  shall  recollect  in  heaven,  with 
overflowings  of  immortal  gratitude  and  everlasting 
praise. 

The  first  time  I  administered  baptism  In  this  city, 
was  on  Lord's  day,  March  3,  1805.  We  then  had 
two  subjects.  On  Lord's  day,  April  4th,  I  baptized 
eight.*  Appearances  in  the  church  and  congrega- 
tion, now  began  to  be  such  as  carried  in  them  irre- 
sistible evidence  that  It  was  my  duty,  for  a  time  at 
least,  to  continue  here.  Accordingly,  on  Lord's 
day,  April  14th,  I  made  known  to  the  church,  (they 
having  tarried  for  the  purpose  after  public  worship,) 
that  I  accepted  their  call,  dated  the  8th  of  February 
preceding.!  In  May  I  baptized  five  ;  who,  added  to 
those  of  March  and  April,  and  one  baptized  by  Elder 
Chaplin,  before  he  left  the  city,  made  sixteen,  return- 
ed to  the  association  that  term,  (May,  1805.)     In 

*  That  day  I  was  received  as  a  member  of  this  church, 
on  evidence  of  good  standing  in  the  Baptist  church  at  Fred- 
cricktown,  Maryland. 

f  This  call  provides  that  either  party  may  be  released 
from  the  obligation  on  a  notice  of  six  months. 


43 

June  I  baptized  six ;  in  July,  twenty  ;  and  in  Au- 
gust, twenty-four.* 

Now,  in  the  course  of  Providence,  I  was  called  to 
go  on  a  tour  to  the  South :  I  calculated  to  return  in 
September,  but  the  yellow  fever  breaking  out  in  the 
city,  I  did  not  return  until  the  22d  of  October.  Dur- 
ing the  rage  of  the  cj^idemic,  our  meeting  house  was 
closed ;  no  church  meetings  w^ere  held,  and,  of 
course,  no  records  were  kept. 

The  first  time  we  met,  as  a  church,  after  the  fever, 
was  on  the  evening  of  November  1st,  when  four  per- 
sons, on  a  relation  of  their  experience,  were  received 
as  candidates  for  baptism,  and  w-ho,  on  the  Lord's 
day  following,  were  baptized  and  acknowledged  as 
members  of  the  church.  In  December  I  baptized 
sixteen. 

Now  again  (circumstances  in  Providence  render- 
ing it  necessary)  I  made  a  tour  to  the  South,  expect- 
ing to  return  in  January,  but  was  detained  so  as  not 
to  arrive  here  until  the  2d  of  April,  1806.  During 
my  absence  the  church  was  supplied,  chiefly,  by 
Elders  Caleb  Blood  and  John  Ellis,  by  the  latter  of 
whom,  on  the  2d  of  March,  six  persons  were  bap- 
tized and  received  into  the  church.  In  April  I  bap- 
tized nine,  and  in  May  six  ;  making  in  all  ninety-one 


*  The  two  numbers  last  mentioned  were  the  largest  re- 
ceived during  the  revival.  The  most  usual  numbers  were 
from  six  to  twelve. 


44 

received  on  a  profession  of  faith  and  baptism,  from 
the  association  in  May,  1S05,  to  that  in  May,  1806. 

The  ingathering  of  which  I  now  speak,  was  chiefly 
remarkable  for  its  gradual  progress  and  long  continu- 
ance, both  of  which  are  evident,  on  viewing,  in  con- 
nexion v/ith  the  numbers  already  mentioned,  those 
reported  to  the  association  at  a  few  of  its  succeeding 
meetings.  At  the  meeting  in  1807,  we  reported  81  ; 
at  that  in  1808,  94 ;  at  that  in  1809,  53  ;  at  that  in 
1810,  42  ;  at  that  in  1811,  43;  and  at  that  in  1812, 
20  ;  baptized  and  received,  on  profession  of  "  re- 
pentance toward  God  and  faith  toward  our  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ." 

In  this  view  of  the  church,  since  my  connexion 
with  it,  we  have  witnessed  much  that  has  been  both 
pleasing  and  comforting ;  and  of  which  it  is  hoped 
we  shall  ever  have  a  grateful  recollection. 

Adversity,  however,  as  well  as  prosperity,  is  an 
attendant  on  human  life  ;  and  it  is  no  doubt,  in  great 
mercy  to  mankind,  that,  according  to  Ecc.  7  :  14, 
"  God  hath  set  the  one  over  against  the  other,"  that 
so,  either  by  a  happy  mixture  or  by  a  seasonable  ex- 
change, the  one  may  suppress  presumption  and  the 
other  despair.  As  this  is  true  of  human  life  in  com- 
mon, so  especially  of  christian  life  ;  for  every  church 
of  Christ,  though  at  some  times,  like  Jerusalem^  a 
vision  of  peace,  is,  nevertheless,  at  other  times,  like 
the  Sliulamite^  a  company  of  two  armies.  Both 
these  conditions  have  been  largely  experienced  by 


45 

this  church.  And  as  the  number  of  hypocrites  in  a 
revival,  generally,  bears  about  the  same  proportion 
to  that  of  real  converts,  which,  in  a  harvest,  the  chaff 
does  to  the  wheat,  and  as  the  last  ingathering  to  this 
church  appears,  from  her  records,  to  have  been  much 
greater  than  any  preceding  one,  so,  consequently,  it 
can  be  no  matter  of  wonder,  if  among  them  there 
should  have  been  a  greater  number  of  false  profes- 
sors, "  crept  in  unawares,"  nor  yet,  that  the  separa- 
tion of  the  dead  from  the  living,  should  have  occa- 
sioned more  labor  and  sorrow  than  had  ever  been 
endured  in  the  family  before. 

The  principal  cases  of  difficulty  and  labor  which 
have  occurred  in  this  church,  within  a  few  years 
past,  are  the  following  : 

In  1808  some  dissention  arose  about  doctrine, 
which,  in  the  course  of  three  years,  occasioned  the 
exclusion  of  eight  or  ten  members  ;  some  of  whom, 
however,  were  persons  of  old  standing  in  the  church. 

In  the  same  year  another  difficulty  arose  concern- 
ing slave  holding.  On  this  many  meetings  were  held, 
and  much  discussion  had ;  when  the  church  gener- 
ally, willing  to  discountenance  the  practice,  resolved 
that  in  future  no  person  holding  a  slave  forhfe,  should 
be  admitted  a  member  ;  and  appointed  also  a  com- 
mittee to  wait  on  such  of  her  members  as  held  slaves, 
to  obtain,  if  possible,  their  consent  to  manumit  them, 
at  such  periods  as  their  several  ages  and  times  of  past 
service  might  justify,  and  to  take  their  certificates  of 


46 

the  same  accordingly.  As  this  committee  was  gen- 
erally successful,  and  as  the  church  deemed  it  unjust 
to  use  any  compulsive  measures  with  those  who  had 
been  received,  and  till  then  retained,  though  known 
to  hold  slaves,  it  was  hoped  that  all  would  have  been 
satisfied.  Some  persons,  however,  will  be  satisfied 
with  nothing  as  a  standard  of  propriety,  but  that 
which  they  themselves  have  set  up  :  such  remained 
restless  ;  and  the  spirit  which  they  manifested,  not 
only  then,  but  also  through  the  whole  of  the  preced- 
ing discussion,  left  on  the  minds  of  many,  very  un- 
favorable impressions  concerning  their  motives.  Nor 
did  that  spirit  depart  with  the  termination  of  this  bu- 
siness ;  but  ever  after,  distinguished  a  certain  class 
of  members,  to  the  great  disturbance  of  the  church, 
so  long  as  they  remained  in  Its  connexion. 

At  about  the  same  time,  also,  the  church  was  great- 
ly harassed  with  the  solicitations  of  several  young 
men  for  license  to  preach.  Some  of  them  were  per- 
mitted to  exercise  their  gifts  before  the  church  ;  and 
although  most  of  them  discovered  no  qualifications 
for  the  work,  it  was,  nevertheless,  not  without  great 
difficulty  that  such  were  prevailed  on  to  desist.* 

A  dispute  now  arose  between  two  members,  in 
which  those  dissatisfied  with  the  decisions  of  the 
church,  whether  on  the  question  relating  to  slavery, 
or  that  relating  to  the  applicants  for  license,  united  on 

♦  At  about  this  time  Mr.  James  Bruce  was  licensed. 


47 

one  side,  and  pursued  their  object  with  all  that  vio- 
lence which,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  had  long  been 
characteristic  of  their  proceedings.  The  difficulty, 
as  to  form,  was  settled  ;  but  the  resentment  of  one 
of  the  parties,  and  of  those  combined  with  him,  re- 
mained ;  wherefore,  finding  that  they  could  not  con- 
trol the  church,  they  determined  to  leave  it;*  ac- 
cordingly, having  increased  their  number  to  twenty- 
six,  on  the  evening  of  the  26th  of  March,  1811, 
they  laid  before  us  a  letter,  requesting  a  dismission, 
to  be  constituted  a  church.  In  this  letter  (and  which 
they  had  individually  signed)  they  expressed  the 
greatest  christian  ajfFection,  both  for  this  church  and 
its  pastor  :  and  assigned  as  their  only  reasons  for  ask- 
ing a  dismission,  that  they  entertained  views  of  dis- 
cipline a  little  different  from  those  of  the  church  they 
addressed,  and  that  they  believed  it  would  be  for  the 
glory  of  God  that  they  should  become  a  separate  so- 
ciety.!    The  church,  influenced  by  their  apparent 


*  To  secure  their  dismission,  they  professed  to  be  recon- 
ciled, and  to  have  the  good  of  the  church  much  at  heart. 

f  Extract  from  their  letter,  dated  •'  New- York,  March 
26,  1811." 

*'Dear  Brethren  : 

"  We  whose  names  are  hereunto  affixed,  consider  it  a 
privilege  in  being  permitted  to  address  you  in  the  endearing 
relation  of  brethren  in  our  dear  Lord  Jesus  Christ;  and  cannot 
but  rejoice  when  we  contemplae  the  gracious  act  of  hira 
who  has  called  us,  we  trust,  with  the  same  holy  calling, 


48 

reconciliation,  granted  their  request ;  and,  on  the 
10th  of  April  following,  they  were  constituted*  under 
the  name  of  Zoar.t 

The  difficulties  of  this  church,  how^ever,  which 
have  occasioned  so  much  noise  in  the  world,  are 
those  which  arose  from  the  accusations  brought 
against  their  pastor.  What  these  accusations  were, 
is  well  known  ;  no  means  having  been  spared  to  make 
them  public,  and  to  give  them  effect. 

How  much  trouble,  both  internal  and  external, 
they  have  occasioned  us,  is  known  only  to  God. 
To  him,  therefore,  we  commit  our  cause,  and  with 
him  we  leave  our  enemies,  praying,  that  if  consistent 


and  hath  made  us  experiraentplly  one  with  him,  notwith- 
standing our  great  unwonhiness. 

"  We  also  trust  we  feel  thankful  for  the  fresh  and  green 
pastures  which  our  good  Shepherd  has  prepared  for  all  who 
are  called  to  be  saints,  and  especially  that  we  have  been 
made  to  participate  with  you  in  the  enjoyment  of  them. 
We  also  feel  a  glow  of  gratitude  and  praise  for  feeling  and 
witnessing  the  goodness  of  tlie  great  head  of  the  church,  in 
sending  us  our  beloved  pastor,  Elder  Wm.  Parkinson, 
under  whoso  ministry  God  has  visited  and  refreshed  our 
souls,  with  the  word  of  his  power  and  consolation." 

*  For  reasons  best  known  to  themselves,  they  chose  the 
pastor  of  the  church  they  left,  and,  as  they  reported  to  him, 
unanimously,  to  preach,  and  he  preached  accordingly^  both 
at  the  opening  of  the  house  they  hired,  in  Rose-street,  as  a 
place  of  worship,  and  on  the  occasion  of  their  constitution. 

f  This  church  dissolved  in  less  than  one  year. 


49 

with  his  purpose,  they  may  yet  become  the  subjects 
of  that  repentance  which  is  unto  life  ;  or,  if  he  have 
otherwise  determined,  still  we  leave  them  with  him, 
"  seeing  that  it  is  a  righteous  thing  with  God  to  recom- 
pense tribulation  to  them  that  trouble  his  people." 
See  2  Thess.  1  :  6. 

For  a  considerable  time  past,  however,  this  church 
has  enjoyed  the  greatest  peace  and  harmony  that 
can  be  calculated  on  in  this  imperfect  state.  And  al- 
though it  is  not  with  us,  a  time  of  special  animation, 
nor  of  abundant  increase,  yet  we  have  much  for  which 
to  be  thankful ;  our  church  meetings  are  solemn  and 
pleasant ;  we  have  a  small  addition  almost  every 
month :  we  witness,  in  a  numerous  congregation,  a 
respectful  attention  to  the  word  of  life,  and  behold 
some  who  "  ask  the  way  to  Zion  with  their  faces," 
and,  we  trust,  their  hearts  "thitherward." 

In  giving  the  history  of  this  church,  it  will  be  ex- 
pected that  notice  be  taken  of  the  churches  and  min- 
isters that  have  proceeded  from  her. 

The  churches :  of  these,  two  have  been  mention- 
ed already :  the  others,  in  the  order  in  which  they 
originated,  are,  the  church  at  Peekskill,(<z)  the 
church  at  Stamford,  (6)  the  Abyssinian   church, (c) 


(a)  State  of  New- York  :  time  of  constitution  unknown. 
(6)  Connecticut :  constituted  1773. 

(c)  Meeting  in  Anthony-street,  New-York  :   constilutsd 
July  5lh. 

5 


60 

the  church  at  Newtown,(J)  and  the  North  Baptist 
church,  (e) 

The  ministers :  these,  in  the  order  in  which  they 
were  ordained,  are  Thomas  Ustick,(/)  Ebenezer 
Ferris, (o-)    Isaac    Skillman,(^)    Stephen    Gano,(*) 

(d)  Long- Island:  constituted  Sept.  12th. 

[e)  Meeting  in  Bud-street,  New- York  :  constituted  Nov. 
13th,  all  in  1809. 

The  church  on  Staten  Island  also  was  in  a  great  de- 
gree formed  of  persons  who  had  belonged  to  this  church. 
The  other  constituents  of  that  church  were  chiefly  called 
under  the  ministry  of  Elder  Elkanah  Holmes,  who  was  one 
of  the  first  and  most  useful  ministers  that  have  ever  labored 
on  Staten  Island.     He  now  resides  in  Upper  Canada. 

(/)  Mr.  Usfick  was  baptized  in  the  13th  year  of  his  age. 
The  dates  of  his  license  and  ordination  we  have  not  learned. 
He  was  educated  at  Rhode  Island  college,  under  president 
Manning.  Life  of  Gano,  p.  91.  He  was  many  years  the 
pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Philadelphia,  where 
he  died,  April  18th,  1803,  aged  about  50  years. 

(g)  Mr.  Ferris  was  dismissed,  with  others,  to  constitute 
the  church  at  Stamford,  Nov.  1st,  1773.  He  was  licensed 
by  that  church,  and  has  been,  for  many  years,  their  pastor. 

{h)  Mr.  [afterward  Dr.]  Skillman  was  a  native  of  New- 
Jersey,  and  a  graduate  of  Princeton  college.  He  was  bap- 
tized and  received  a  member  of  this  church  June  16,  1771. 
He  was  14  years  the  pastor  of  the  Second  Baptist  church  in 
Boston.  He  then  returned  to  his  native  state,  and  became 
pastor  of  the  church  at  Salem,  where  he  died  but  a  few 
years  since.  See  Dr.  Baldwin's  sermon  at  the  opening  of 
the  new  meeting  house  of  the  2d  church,  Boston,  preached 
Jan.  1,  1811,  p.  27. 

(i)  Dr.  Gano  is  a  son  of  the  venerable  proto-pastor  of  thia 


51 

Thomas  Montanye,(A;)  Cornelius  P.  Wyckoff,(Z) 
James  Bruce, (»i)  John  Seger.(«) 

church.  He  was  bred  a  physician.  He  was  baptized  April 
2,  1785;  soon  after  licensed  to  preach,  and  on  August  2, 
1786,  ordained.  He  has  been  for  many  years,  the  pastor  of 
the  First  Baptist  church  in  Providence,  R.  I. 

(k)  Mr,  Montanye  is  a  son  of  Elder  Benjamin  Montanye, 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at  the  Deer  Park,  state  of  New- 
York.  He  was  licensed  Dec.  5,  1787.  He  was  several 
years  pastor  of  the  church  at  Warwick,  state  of  N.  York, 
and  is  now  pastor  of  the  church  at  Southampton,  Penn. 

(l)  Mr.  Wyckoffwas  baptized  Dec.  6,  18G7  ;  licensed  June 
21,  1808,  and  ordained  the  9th  of  Nov.  following.  He  is 
pastor  of  the  North  Baptist  church  in  this  city, 

(m)  Deceased.  The  life  of  Mr.  Bruce,  though  very  short, 
embraced  so  many  changes,  and  thes€  in  such  swift  succes- 
sion, as  to  render  it  remarkable :  He  was  born  Oct.  20, 1791. 
At  the  usual  age  he  was  bound  an  apprentice  to  a  watch- 
maker. In  the  15th  year  of  his  age,  Dec.  7,  1806,  he  was 
baptized,  on  profession  of  faith  in  Christ:  Oct.  17,  1809,  he 
was  licensed  to  preach,  though  under  some  restrictions,  being 
an  apprentice.  The  expectations,  however,  of  his  useful- 
ness in  the  ministry,  were  so  great,  that  his  friends  interested 
themselves  in  his  behalf,  and  raised,  by  subscription,  $500, 
the  sum  which  his  master  agreed  to  take  for  the  remainder 
tf  his  time.  His  freedom  being  obtained,  he  received  a  full 
license,  and  on  the  21st  of  June,  1810,  he  was  ordained,  be- 
ing then  but  in  the  18th  year  of  his  age.  He  took  the  pas- 
toral charge  of  the  Baptist  church  on  Staten  Island,  at  whose 
request  he  had  been  ordained ;  there  he  had  several  seals  to 
his  ministry,  whom  he  baptized ;  but  faking  into  a  consump- 
tion he  served  the  church  but  about  one  year,  when,  on  the 
15th  of  April,  1811,  in  the  19th  year  of  his  age,  he  fell  asleep, 


52 

The  largest  number  of  which  this  church  has,  at 
any  time,  consisted,  was  564  :  this  was  in  the  spring 
of  1809 :  and  after  dismissing  86  to  form  new 
churches,  and  several  who  have  removed  to  the 
country,  besides  those  taken  away  by  death,  and 
those  separated  from  us  by  dismission  and  exclusion, 
we  remain,  in  number,  about  480. 

Now,  having,  in  some  manner,  noticed  both  the 
circumstances  which  led  to  the  constitution  of  this 
church,  and  those  which  have  marked  its  progress, 
I  come  to  make  some  improvement,  from  the  text 
and  the  occasion. 

Did  Samuel  erect  a  monument  to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  Jehovah's  goodness  to  ancient  Israel  ? 
He  did ;  is  it  not  then  the  duty  of  christians,  and 
particularly  of  christian  ministers,  to  use  the  best 
means  in  their  power,  to  preserve  the  recollection  of 
divine  mercies  to  the  gospel  church ;  especially,  to 
those  branches  thereof  with  which  they  are  severally 
connected  ?  We  think  it  is  ;  and,  under  a  sense  of 
this  duty,  I,  with  some  care  and  labor,  have  col- 
it  is  hoped,  in  Jesus.  Mr.  Bruce  was  married  to  Susan,  the 
only  daughter  of  Mr.  Christopher  Halstead,  of  this  city,  and 
left  one  child,  a  son,  who  bears  his  own  name.  His  widow  has 
lately  been  married  to  Capt.  JohnG.  Clark,  of  NewRochelle. 

(n)  Mr.  Seger  was  licensed  March  7,  1809;  and  ordained 
Jan,  7,  ISl?.  He  remains  a  member  of  this  church.  As 
his  ordination  has  taken  place  since  the  delivery  of  this  ser- 
mon, his  name,  of  course,  was  not  then  mentioned. 


53 

lected  the  several  parts  of  information  concerning 
this  church,  which  have  now  been  communicated. 
Many  things,  probably,  of  which  some  expected  to 
hear,  have  been  omitted,  either  as  being  deemed  un- 
important, or  to  avoid  an  accumulation  of  matter  be- 
yond the  limits  of  a  sermon.  Other  events,  for  the 
same  reasons,  have  been  mentioned,  without  noticing 
all  the  circumstances  which  led  to  them.  And  if,  in 
any  instances,  facts  have  been  represented,  not  alto- 
gether correctly,  I  have  the  satisfaction  to  know  that 
it  hath  not  been  done  designedly  ;  having  always  had 
recourse  to  the  best  means  of  information,  and  hav- 
ing invariably  aimed  at  truth. 

Was  it  the  design  of  Samuel,  that  the  Ebenezer 
which  he  reared  should  excite  in  the  Israelites,  when- 
ever they  viewed  it,  gratitude  and  praise  to  their  great 
Deliverer?  It  evidently  was.  O  that  these  my 
feeble  labors  may,  under  the  divine  blessing,  have 
that  effect  upon  the  members  of  this  church  !  If  so, 
my  beloved  brethren  and  sisters,  you  will,  not  onh- 
at  the  present  hearing,  but  also  at  every  review  of  the 
mercies  now  enumerated,  adopt  the  language  of  the 
text,  and  in  glowing  gratitude  say,  HUhcrto  huth  the 
Lord  helped  us. 

In  the  use  of  these  words 

1.  We  imply  that,  like  the  Israelites,  we  have  ex- 
perienced a  state  of  warfare ;  and  which  we  have, 
both  as  individuals  and  as  a  society.     As  individuals 
we  have  had,  in  common  with  other  christians,  to 
^      5* 


54 

combat  indwelling  sin,  a  tempting  devil,  and  an  en- 
snaring world.  And  as  a  society,  this  church,  as 
appears  from  the  preceding  history,  has  experienced 
many  internal  commotions  and  external  attacks  ;  and 
some  of  them  of  a  very  singular  nature,  and  produc- 
tive of  more  than  ordinary  tribulation. 

2.  We  acknowledge,  with  Israel,  that  our  support 
hath  been,  not  of  ourselves,  but  of  the  Lord ;  ihe 
Lord  hath  helped  lis.  This  acknowledgment  we 
have  individually,  had  frequent  occasions  to  make. 
How  often  has  each,  on  reviewing  conflicts  with  the 
propensities  of  an  evil  heart,  and  the  stratagems  of 
Satan  and  the  world,  had  reason  to  say,  these  ene- 
mies of  my  soul  had  gained  the  victory,  but  the  Lord 
helped  me  !  The  ordinary  means  through  which  the 
Lord  helps,  that  is,  strengthens  and  encourages  his 
people,  are  his  word  and  ordinances :  nevertheless, 
most  of  them  have  to  acknowledge  his  help  also,  by 
remarkable  dispensations  of  his  providence  and  spe- 
cial operations  of  his  Spirit :  hy  remarkable  dis])en- 
sations  of  his  providence :  some  by  dispensations 
which  either  removed  them  from  temptation,  or  pre- 
vented them  from  sinning ;  others  by  dispensations 
which  either  kept  them  from  taking  measures  which 
would  have  involved  them  in  trouble,  or  being  in- 
volved, marvellously  delivered  them ;  and  others  by 
dispensations  which  either  preserved  or  furnished  to 
them  the  necessaries  of  life,  when  all  their  efforts 
failed  and  all  their  hopes  had  fled  :  by  special  opera- 


55 

tions  of  his  Sjpirit;  operations  by  which  his  perfec- 
tions and  promises  were  seasonably  impressed  upon 
their  minds.  How  often,  believer,  when  on  the  verge 
of  giving  way,  either  to  despondency  or  immorality, 
has  the  thought,  "  Thou,  God,  seest  me,"  prevented  ! 
How  frequently,  also,  when  sinking  under  present 
trials,  or  under  the  prospect  of  trials  approaching, 
has  the  address,  '*  My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee ; 
my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weakness,"  checked 
your  unbelief  and  made  you  feel  "  strong  in  the  Lord 
and  in  the  power  of  his  might?"  As  a  church,  also, 
we  have  abundant  reason  to  make  the  same  acknow- 
ledgment ;  for,  to  use  the  language  of  the  psalmist, 
"  If  it  had  not  been  the  Lord  who  was  on  our  side, 
when  men  rose  up  against  us ;  then  they  had  swal- 
lowed us  up  quick,  when  their  wrath  was  kindled 
against  us."     Psalm  124  :  2,  3. 

3.  We  acknowledge,  not  only  that  the  Lord  hath 
helped  us,  but  moreover,  that  his  help  hath  been  in- 
cessant :  hitherto,  all  the  w^ay,  every  step,  and  every 
moment,  hath  the  Lord  helped  us.  Have  we  endured 
tribulation "?  The  Lord  hath  strengthened  us  :  have 
we  experienced  deliverance  ?  The  L  ord  hath  wrought 
it:  have  we  had  occasions  of  rejoicing?  The  Lord 
hath  furnished  them  :  and,  if  we  have  had  hearts  pre- 
pared for  thanksgiving,  the  Lord  hath  prepared  them; 
for  "  the  preparation  of  the  heart,"  as  well  as  every 
other  blessing,  *'  is  from  the  Lord." 

But  if  the  Lord  hath  thus  helped  us  hitherto,  then 


56 

1.  Let  us  not  look  to  any  other  helper  for  the  time 
to  come.  This  was  often  the  God-provoking  sin  of 
Israel.  How  frequently  and  how  marvellously  did 
God  deliver  them  !  yet  how  prone  were  they  to  "  look 
to  Egypt  for  help,"  and  to  '*  trust  in  an  arm  of 
flesh,"  yea,  in  dumb  idols  !  O  that  we  may  never 
be  left  to  act  in  like  manner ! 

2.  Let  us  be  careful  never  to  distrust  his  favor. 
Why  should  we  ?  Hath  he  ever  been  unto  us  as  a 
barren  wilderness  or  a  la7id  of  darkness  ?(a)  Or  hath 
he  ever  been  unmindful  of  his  word  on  which  he  had 
caused  us  to  hope  ?(6)  On  the  contrary,  hath  he  not 
often  exceeded  our  largest  expectations,  and  even 
astonished  us  with  displays  of  his  favor,  both  in  tem- 
poral and  spiritual  things  ?  We  have  also  the  strong- 
est assurances  of  his  presence  and  support  for  time 
to  come  ;  he  is  saying  to  every  believer,  "  I  will  nev- 
er leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee,"(c)  and,  "  as  thy 
days,  so  shall  thy  strength  be  :"(^)  to  indulge  dis- 
trust is,  therefore,  a  base  requital  of  his  mercy,  and 
even  an  impudent  challenge  of  his  veracity  ;  yea,  it  is 
to  repose  less  confidence  in  him,  than  we  do  in  a  fel- 
low creature ;  for  even  a  man  whose  friendship  and 
faithfulness  we  have  long  experienced,  we  think  wor- 
thy of  our  confidence,  that  is,  in  a  sense  and  to  a  de- 
gree consistent  with  frail  nature  ;  and  if  he  have  giv- 


{a)  See  Jer.  2  :  31.         (6)  See  Psal.  119  ;  49. 
(c)  Heb.  13:5.         {d)  Deut.  33  :  25. 


57 

en  U3  a  promise,  and  possess  the  means  of  accom- 
plishing it,  we  expect  the  favor  promised.  How 
much  more  should  we  believe  God,  with  whom  it  is 
imjjossible  to  lie,  and,  in  the  proper  use  of  means, 
look  for  all  we  need  from  him,  who,  with  heaven 
and  earth  at  his  command,  is  saying,  "  They  that 
seek  the  Lord  shall  not  want  any  good  thing." (e) 
Difficulties  may  be  great ;  but,  "  is  any  thing  too 
hard  for  the  Lord  ?"(/)  Times  may  be  trying  ;  but 
they  are  all  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  in  him, 
therefore,  we  are  exhorted  to  "  trust  at  all  times. "(o-) 
Circumstances  may  be  perplexing,  but  all  things  work 
together  for  good,  to  them  that  love  God,  to  them 
who  are  the  called  according  to  his  purpose. (^)  Let 
each  believer,  then,  recollect  the  injunction,  "  com- 
mit thy  way  unto  the  Lord,"(?')  and,  in  humble,  holy 
confidence,  say,  "  The  Lord  will  perfect  that  which 
concernelh  me."(^)  As  a  church,  let  us  adopt  the 
language  of  triumphant  Israel:  "God  is  our  refuge 
and  strength,  a  very  present  help  in  trouble  ;  there- 
fore will  not  we  fear,  though  the  earth  be  removed, 
and  though  the  mountains  be  carried  into  the  midst 
of  the  sea  ;  though  the  waters  thereof  roar  and  be 
troubled,  though  the  mountains  shake  with  the  swell- 
ing thereof.     Selah.     There  is  a  river,  the  streams 


(e)  Psal.  34  :  10.         (/)  Gen.  18  :  14. 

\g)  Psal.  31  :  15,  and  62  :  8.         {h)  Rom.  8  :  28. 

ii)  Psal.  37  :  6.         {k)  Ibid.  138  :  8. 


58 

whereof  shall  make  glad  the  city  of  God,  the  holy 
place  of  the  tabernacles  of  the  Most  Hii^li.  God  is 
in  the  midst  of  her  ;  [the  church  ;]  she  shall  not  be 
moved ;  God  shall  help  her,  and  that  right  early." 
Psal.  46  :  1—5. 

Brethren,  do  you  need  additional  excitements  to 
perseverance  ?  recollect  the  cause  you  have  espous- 
ed is  the  cause  of  God,  and  therefore  must  inevitably 
succeed  ;  the  warfare  in  which  you  are  engaged  is 
that  in  which  Jesus  bled,  and  yet,  bleeding,  over- 
came ;  the  enemies  you  oppose  are  the  enemies  of 
Jehovah,  and  will,  therefore,  most  certainly  be  sub- 
dued. Do  you  contend  with  sin?  "It  shall  not 
have  dominion  over  you  ;"(/) — with  Satan  ?  "  The 
God  of  peace  shall  bruise  him  under  your  feet  short- 
ly ;"(?/i) — with  the  allurements  of  the  world  ?  "  The 
fashion  of  this  world  passeth  away,"(;i)  and  "  the 
works  that  are  therein  shall  be  burnt  up."(o)  Victo- 
ry !  Victory  !  on  the  part  of  Zion,  remember,  is  cer- 
tain ;  for  God  hath  said  unto  her,  "  No  weapon  that 
is  formed  against  thee  shall  prosper  ;  and  every 
tongue  that  shall  rise  against  thee  in  judgment  thou 
shalt  condemn. "(p)  Nor  can  the  conflict  be  long. 
Here  I  am  reminded  of  an  address  to  ancient  Israel, 
which  I  think  not  inapplicable,  my  brethren,  to 
you :    "  Your   fathers,  where    are  they  V\q)     But 

(1)  Rom.  6  :  14.  (m.)  Rom.  16  :  20. 

(n)  I  Cor.  7  :  31.  (o)  2  Pet.  3  .  10. 

(p)  Isai.  54  :  17.  {q)  Zech.  1  :  5. 


59 

about  half  a  century  hath  elapsed  since  the  constitu- 
tion of  this  church ;  yet  not  even  one  person  who 
was  a  member  then^  remains  a  member  now.  Where 
are  they  ?  With  the  exception  only  of  one,*  they 
are  gone  to  eternity  ;  and,  we  trust,  through  grace  to 
glory.  Many  also  of  those  added  since  the  constitu- 
tion, have  already  been  called  from  the  church  mili- 
tant to  the  church  triumphant.  And  you  who  re- 
main are  hastening  to  give  place  to  another  genera- 
tion, both  in  the  church  and  in  the  world.  Some  of 
you  already  exhibit  strong  marks  of  decaying  nature  ; 
and,  in  a  few  years  at  most  (afflicting  thought  to  those 
who  shall  remain !)  your  sage  advice  will  no  longer 
direct  the  councils,  nor  your  silver  locks  grace  the 
assemblies  of  this  church  and  society.  May  your 
last  days  be  your  best  days  !  may  you  "  come  to  the 
grave  in  a  full  age,  like  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in 
in  his  season  !"(r)  and  while  the  afflicted  church  shall 
be  lamenting  their  loss,  may  you  be  adoring  before 
the  throne  of  God  ! 

Others  of  you  are,  it  is  true,  yet  in  the  vigor  of 
your  days  :  nevertheless,  be  not  dismayed  under  the 
anticipation  of  remaining  trials  :  many  trials  that  you 
anticipate  may  never  occur ;  and  what  though  all  you 
anticipate,  and  thousands  more  should  be  realized ; 
a  covenant  God  can  and  will  sustain  you  under  them, 


*  Samuel  Edmunds;  see  p.  10. 
(r)  Job.  5  :  26. 


60 

and  make  you  triumphant  over  them.  Some  of  you, 
probably,  Hke  many  who  have  gone  before,  will  be 
called  at  noon  ;  called  from  the  field  of  labor  and 
conflict,  to  the  mansion  of  repose  ;  and  from  the 
scorching  sun  of  persecution  and  tribulation,  to  the 
inexhaustible  fountain  of  living  waters.  For  Zion's 
sake,  however,  it  is  desirable  that  many,  and,  if  agree- 
able to  the  Divine  purpose,  all  of  you  might  be  con- 
tinued "  to  a  good  old  age"  in  the  church  below.  Nor 
should  the  prospect  thereof  discourage  you  ;  for  hu- 
man life,  at  its  greatest  length,  is  likened  but  to  a 
span,  and  its  rapidity  to  that  of  a  weaver's  shuttle. 
How  soon  will  it  have  past  away  !  Remember,  then, 
my  dear  young  brethren  and  sisters,  that  soon  you 
will  be  viewed  as  the  fathers  and  mothers  in  this  our 
Israel ;  and  consequently,  that  soon  the  care  and  gov- 
ernment of  this  church  will  devolve  upon  you.  Un- 
der this  impression,  permit  me  to  exhort  you  to  be 
much  engaged  in  searching  the  scriptures,  and  in 
praying  to  God  for  an  understanding  of  them,  that 
you  may  possess  the  requisite  knowledge  of  doctrine 
and  discipline  ;  also  that  you  study  to  keep  your 
conversation  garments  unspotted,  to  be  grave,  sober- 
minded,  hindly  affectiotied,  and  yet  faithful  one  to 
another  ;  that  you  endeavor  to  learn  by  the  sufferings 
and  deliverances  of  this  church,  which  you  have  wit- 
nessed ;  and  by  the  steady,  uniform,  and  scriptural 
course  of  discipline  which  she  has  pursued  :  that  so, 
in  knowledge,  i?i  imrify,  and  in  faithfulness,  you  may 


61 

be  examples  lo  those  who  shall,  hereafter,  be  as  your 
children  in  church  relation.  For  your  encourage- 
ment, recollect  that  at  every  stage  of  your  pilgrimage, 
and  finally,  at  the  close  of  life,  it  will  be  your  priv- 
ilege as  well  as  your  duty  to  say,  Hitherto  hath  the 
Lord  helped  us. 

In  the  address  to  ancient  Israel,  already  noticed,  it 
is  not  only  asked,  ^^Youv fathers ^  where  are  they?" 
but  also  "  l^he  pi'ophets,  do  they  live  for  ever?"  that 
is,  in  this  w^orld.  No  ;  so  neither  do  your  pastors  ; 
your  venerable  Gano  and  your  learned  Foster^  have 
long  since  laid  by  their  trumpets  and  received  their 
crowns ;  and  the  period  is  advancing  on  the  rapid 
current  of  time,  when  your  poor  servant  w^ho  now 
addresses  you,  shall  also  finish  his  labors,  and  bid 
adieu  to  the  sanctuary  of  God  on  earth.  He,  how- 
ever, who  hath  "  obtained  gifts  for  men,"  and  who 
hath  hitherto  supplied  you,  can  supply  you  still  ;  may 
he  ever  furnish  you  "  a  pastor  after  his  own  heart, 
who  shall  feed  you  with  knowledge  and  understand- 
ing!" 

A  few  words  to  the  congregation. — Beloved  hear- 
ers, think,  O  think,  how  many  of  your  acquaintance 
who  once  attended  with  you  here,  have  gone  to  their 
eternal  home  :  alas,  how  many  without  having  given 
any  evidence  of  regeneration  !  You  are  yet  spared ; 
for  what  purpose  God  only  knows.  O  that  it  may 
yet  appear  to  have  been,  that  your  precious  souls 
might  so  hear  as  to  live  !  Many  of  you  have  been 
G 


62 

attendants  here  from  early  life;  some  of  you  have 
attended  until  you  have  seen  your  children,  and  in  a 
few  instances,  your  children's  children,  attend  with 
you ;  yea,  some  of  them  become  members  of  the 
church  ;  but  still  (sad  consideration)  you  are  without, 
and  many  of  you,  it  is  to  be  feared,  are  still  dead  in 
sin.  May  God,  that  quickeneth  the  dead,  make  you 
alive  to  himself,  and  fit  you  for  a  place  in  the  spirit- 
ual building  !  Many  of  you,  both  old  and  young, 
have  been  abundantly  liberal  in  the  temporalities  of 
this  church,  and  friendly  and  useful  under  our  vai'i- 
ous  sufferings  ;  for  these  favors  please  to  accept  our 
unfeigned  thanks,  and  permit  us  to  say,  we  love  you, 
nnd  long  for  your  salvation.  O  that  you  may  not 
be  like  those  who  aided  in  the  labor  of  building  the 
ark,  and  yet  perished  in  the  flood  ! 

To  conclude ;  may  this  church  continue  parallel 
with  time  itself — may  she  ever  see  her  foes  disappoint- 
ed, and  her  friends  prospered, — may  she  enjoy  many 
and  great  effusions  of  the  Holy  Spirit, — receive  into 
her  bosom  frequent  and  numerous  accessions  of  the 
Lord's  elect, — and,  on  her  w  ay  to  heaven,  participate 
the  glory  of  the  millennial  kingdom.  At  every  return 
of  her  Jubilee,  may  her  pastor  continue  her  history  ; 
and  may  every  succeeding  record  contain  less  of  the 
painful  and  more  of  the  pleasing ;  especially,  may 
there  ever  be  found  in  her  members  a  heart  to  say, 
Hitherto  hath  the  Lord  helped  vs  ;  until  "  the  Lord 
himself  shall  descend  from  Heaven  with  a  shout,  with 


63 

the  voice  of  the  archangel,  and  with  the  trump  ot" 
God  ;"  and  then,  her  members  that  shall  have  re- 
mained on  earth  being  changed,  and  those  that  shall 
have  fallen  asleep  being  raised,  may  she,  in  all  her 
successive  generations  and  mingling  in  the  general 
assembly  of  the  Lord's  redeemed,  enter  the  gates,  in- 
herit the  joys,  and  assist  the  songs  of  the  heavenly 
Jerusalem  !  Even  so,  Lord  Jesus.  Amen  and 
Amen. 


SERMON, 


DELiVERRD    Iff 


OF    THE 

FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH  IN  THE  CITY  OF  NEW-YORK, 

AUGUST  20th,  1812. 


BKING  A  DAY  RECOMMENDED  BY  THE  AUTHORITIES   OF  THE 
NATION   AS  A  DAY  OF 


SPECIAL    HUMILIATION   AND    PRAYER, 


ON   ACCOUNT   OF 


THE  PRESENT  WAR, 


By  AVM.  PARKINSON,  A.M.,  Pastor, 


"  He  maketh  wars  to  ceass,"  &c.     Psalm  xlvi.  9. 


NEW-YORK: 


RE- PUBLISH  ED     BY     A     FRIEND. 
Jo'uQ  Gray,  Printer. 

1846. 


SERMON    ON    WAR. 


1  Chronicles  5  :  IS — 22. 

18.  Tlie  sons  of  Reuben,  and  the  Gadites,  and  half  the  tribe  of  Manasseh,  of 
valiant  men,  able  to  bear  buckler  and  sword,  aud  to  shoot  with  bow,  and  skilful 
in  war,  were  four  and  forty  thousand  seven  hundred  aud  three-score,  that 
went  out  to  the  war. 

19.  Aud  they  made  war  with  the  Hagarite?,  with  Jetur  and  Nephisb,  and  No- 
dab. 

20.  And  they  were  helped  against  them,  and  the  Hagarites  were  delivered 
into  their  hand,  and  all  that  were  with  them  ;  for  they  cried  to  God  in  the  bat- 
tle, and  he  was  entreated  of  them,  because  they  put  their  trust  in  him. 

21.  And  they  took  away  their  cattle  ;  of  their  camels  fifty  thousand,  a&d  of 
their  eheep  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand,  and  of  asses  two  thousand,  and 
of  men  an  hundred  thousand. 

22.  For  there  fell  down  many  slain,  because  the  war  tca«  of  God.  And  they 
dwelt  in  their  steads  until  the  captivity. 


This  piece  of  sacred  history  records  the  parties 
and  circumstances  of  an  ancient  war. 

The  "parties  on  the  one  side,  the  Israelites^  who 
were  the  descendants  oi  Jacob,  and  on  the  other  side, 
the  Hagarites,  who  were  the  posterity  of  Ishmael, 
but  called  Hagarites,  after  Hagar,  IshmaePs  mother. 
The  branches  of  each  family  that  were  engaged  in 
the  war  are  particularly  named.  Of  the  family  of 
Jacob,  "  the  sons  of  Reuben,  and  the  Gadites,  and 
half  the  tribe  of  Manasseh;"  who  all  lived  together 


68 

on  the  east  of  Jordan,  and  who  are  said  to  have  been 
*'  valiant  men,  men  able  to  bear  buckler  and  sword, 
and  to  shoot  with  bow,  and  skilful  in  war."  v.  18. 
And  of  the  family  of  Ishmael,  or  the  Hagarites,  "  Je- 
tur,  and  Nephish,  and  Nodab,^^*  that  is  the  posteri- 
ty of  these  men,  and  who  were  the  sons  of  Ishmael. 
Gen.  25  :  15. 

The  Circumstances : 

1.  ''  The  war  was  of  God."  v.  22. 

2.  It  was  waged  on  the  part  of  God's  Israel ;  "  they 
made  war."  &c.  v.  19. 

3.  The  forces  engaged  were  very  unequal ;  of  the 
Israelites,  44,760,  v.  18,  and  of  the  Hagarites,  pro- 
bably three  times  that  number;  for,  besides  100,000 
of  them  taken  prisoners,  "there  fell  down  many 
slain."  V.  21,  22.     Yet 

4.  The  conquest  was  on  the  side  of  Israel,  v.  20. 

5.  The  conquest  was  given  them  by  divine  inter- 
position;  "  they  were  helped  against  them,  and  the 
Hagarites  were  delivered  into  their  hands,  and  all 
that  were  with  them  ;"  that  is  all  their  possessions. 
Ibid. 

*  Nodab  is  supposed  to  be  the  same  with  Kedemah,  men- 
tioned with  Jetur  and  Nephish  in  the  place  referred  to  in 
Genesis. — Dr.  Gill  in  loc.  Or  perhaps  he  was  the  same  with 
Nebaioth,  Ishmael's  eldest  son.  Gen.  25  :  13.  For  as  it 
is  not  certain  that  any  people,  in  scripture,  are  named  after 
him,  it  is  probable  that  they  who  in  heathen  writers  are 
called  Nabathaei  were  his  descendants.  So  Dr^.  Jackson 
and  Bs.  Patrick. 


69 

6.  The  success  of  Israel  was  in  answer  to  prayer : 
**  for  they  cried  to  God  in  the  battle,  and  he  was  en- 
treated of  them,  because  they  put  theu-  trust  in  him." 
Ibid, 

7.  What  the  providence  of  God  delivered  to  Is- 
rael, they  took ;  and  which  furnishes  an  example  of 
what  may  be  lawfully  done  in  a  lawful  war.  They 
took  men^ — of  these  100,000,  which  alone  was  near 
jSOOO  more  than  twice  the  whole  number  of  the  ai*my 
of  Israel.  They  took  property, — of  camels  50,000, 
of  sheep  250,000,  and  of  asses  2000,  v.  21.  They 
took  possession  also  of  the  enemy's  territory,  "and 
dwelt  in  their  steads  until  the  captivity."  v.  22. 

As  the  text  is  entirely  historical,  the  remarks  al- 
ready made  must  serve  both  for  exposition  and  intro- 
duction. 

The  subject,  of  which  the  text  is  a  history,  observe, 
is  WAR,  and  therefore,  confessedly,  a  very  extraor- 
dinary one  to  be  discussed  in  the  palace  of  the 
Prince  of  Peace.  But,  if  the  subject  be  extraordina- 
ry, so  also  the  time  and  the  occasion.  We  are  as- 
sembled in  a  time  of  war,  and  agreeably  to  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  constituted  authorities  of  our  coun- 
try, for  special  humiliation  and  prayer.  Humilia- 
tion for  our  sins  which  have  contributed  to  the  com- 
mon mass  of  national  guilt,  for  which  our  country  is 
visited  ;  and  prayer,  that  God,  the  only  proper  object 
of  our  hope,  would  interpose  his  mercy  and  power  in 
behalf  of  these  United  States.     Nor  is  it  the  design 


70 

of  the  speaker,  by  any  means  to  increase,  but  by  all 
means  to  moderate  that  flame  of  contention  \\Lich, 
:iiiiong  our  citizens,  already  burns — nor  to  provoke 
to  greater  outrage,  but  if  possible,  in  some  measure  to 
roiiciliate  those  parties  which,  to  the  great  injury  of 
our  countiy,  and  the  triumph  of  its  enemies,  already 
exist. 

Ill  the  prosecution  of  this  design,  it  is  proposed  to 

i.  That  such  evils  accompany  war,  as  make  it  al- 
ways to  be  deprecated. 

II.  That,  notwithstanding  these  evils,  a  nation  may 
be  so  treated  by  another,  as  to  justify,  on  her  part,  a 
declaration  of  war,  and  that  the  same  cannot  be  avoid- 
ed consistently  with  her  dignity,  her  safety,  or  even 
her  independence. 

III.  What  concern  God  has  in  war:  "  The  war 
was  of  God,"  and 

IV.  What  measures,  especially  in  a  moral  point 
of  view,  are  proper  for  a  nation  to  take  in  relation  to 
wai- — when  exempted  from  it — when  threatened  with 
it — and  when  involved  in  it. 

J.  That  such  evils  accompany  war,  as  make  it  al- 
ways to  be  deprecated. 

JFar  necessarily  occasions  an  increase  of  taxa- 
tion. This,  in  a  free  country  is,  to  be  sure,  the  less 
oppressive  by  being  only  ijiternal, — and  under  an 
elective   and  representative  government   like  ours, 


71 

si  ill  less  so,  by  being  voluntary,  both^the  ratio  of  the 
tax  and  the  articles  subject  to  it,  being  determined 
by  men  chosen  by  the  people.  Nevertheless,  the 
revenue  must  be  collected,  and,  of  course,  the  burden 
felt. 

TFar  occasions,  inevitably,  an  interruption  of  com- 
merce ;  and  thus  while  it  increases  expense,  both 
public  and  private,  it  also  lessens  the  means  of  de- 
fraying it.  In  times  of  war,  the  produce  of  the  coun- 
try has  chiefly,  if  not  wholly,  but  an  internal  con- 
sumption, and  consequently  the  harvests  of  the  hus- 
bandman either  remain  in  his  granaries,  or  are  vend- 
ed at  a  price  not  equivalent,  either  to  his  toils  or  his 
expenses.  The  ships  of  the  merchant,  if  not  appro- 
priated to  the  purposes  of  war,  are  in  a  state  either  of 
perpetual  hazard  abroad,  or  of  decay  at  heme.  A  nd 
tlie  honest  mechanic,  with  perhaps  a  numerous  as 
well  as  dependent  family,  is  without  employ,  or  em- 
ployed at  wages,  not  adequate  to  the  support  of  him- 
self, and  those  dependent  on  him. 

These  evils,  though  considerable,  are  neveitheless 
small  when  compared  Y^dth  others  arising  from  ilie 
same  source. 

A  separation  of  the  nearest  relatives,  and  loss  of 
the  choicest  comforts  of  natural,  civil,  and  social 
life,  are  among  the  invariable  concomitants  of  uv/r. 
Think  for  a  moment  of  such  a  number  of  our  valua- 
ble citizens,  of  different  ranks  and  ages,  and  from  all 
parts  of  the  union,  as  would  be  requisite  to  constitute 


72 

an  army  and  a  navy  sufficient  to  contend  with  a  potent 
enemy — think  of  these  taking  leave  of  their  homes 
and  connexions  for  the  place  of  danger.  How  af- 
fecting the  objects  that  are  presented  to  view ! — Whole 
families  bathed  in  tears,  and  overwhelmed  in  grief! — 
Nor  dare  we  disapprove ; — the  occasion  demands  it — 
at  least  the  sensibility  and  sympathy  of  parents, 
wives,  and  sisters,  sufficiendy  account  for  it — and 
even  the  brave  soldier,  or  the  valiant  officer  must  be 
excused  should  he  drop  a  tear. 

This  still  is  but  as  the  "  beginning  of  sorrows." 
For  leaving  their  families  to  the  inconveniences, 
griefs,  and  anxieties  naturally  resulting  from  their  be- 
reavement, we  must  now  spend  a  thought  on  the 
toils,  the  dangers,  and  the  apprehensions  of  our  be- 
loved fellow  citizens,  gone,  as  with  their  lives  in  their 
hands,  to  fight  our  battles,  and  maintain  our  rights. 
See  them  encountering  either  the  hazards  of  the  con- 
flicting elements  upon  the  mighty  ocean,  or  the  ri- 
gors of  the  various  seasons,  in  long  and  fatiguing 
marches  by  land.  Or  view  them  actually  engaged  in 
battle,  and  facing  ten  thousand  shafts  of  death  !  How 
eventful  the  hour  !  Ah  !  ye  fond  connexions  left 
behind,  could  ye  witness  the  bloody  conffict,  how 
would  your  hearts  beat  with  painful  expectation ! 
The  sanguinary  scene  is  past ; — and  perhaps  thou- 
sands of  immortal  souls  are  hurried  to  the  bar  of 
God,  to  give  an  account  for  "  the  deeds  done  in  the 
body."   This,  were  it  but  once  to  occur,  would  be  im- 


portant ; — but  probably  It  must  be  often,  very  often 
repeated,  before  the  balance  of  national  power  be 
decided,  the  murderous  process  terminated,  and  the 
instruments  of  death  ao-ain  immured. 

o 

War,  especially  when,  like  that  of  the  American 
revolution  and  most  of  the  modern  wars  in  Europe, 
it  inundates  the  country,  always  becomes  an  inter- 
ruption of  public  worship,  and  an  obstacle  to  learning 
and  science,  and  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of 
all  the  useful  arts.  Houses  of  worship  and  semina- 
ries of  learning,  are,  under  such  circumstances,  com- 
monly closed  and  abandoned ;  and  if  taken  by  the 
enemy,  usually  converted  into  barracks  for  soldiers, 
or  perhaps  stables  for  horses.  That  such  was  the 
fate  of  public  buildings  in  this  and  other  cities  on  our 
continent,  during  the  revolutionary  war,  is  well  recol- 
lected by  many  in  this  assembly. 

War,  moreover,  is  a  fruitful  source  of  almost  all 
manner  of  wickedness.  Not  to  speak  of  that  flood 
of  immoraUty  which  commonly  attends  an  army,  and 
which  more  or  less  disseminates  its  baneful  influence 
among  all  classes  of  society,  war  has  its  very  origin 
in  wickedness  :  "  Whence  come  wars  and  fightings 
among  you  ?  Oome  they  not  hence  even  of  your 
lusts?"  Jas.  5:1.  As  between  individuals  or 
families,  so  between  nations,  whenever  war  occurs, 
there  must  be,  on  one  side  at  least,  an  egregious  de- 
parture from  equity  and  justice,  and  which  can  only 
proceed  from  the  lusts  of  the  human  heart ;  such  as 
7 


74 

resentment,  envy,  and  jealousy;  restless  ambition, 
false  glory,  wantonness  of  power,  or  perhaps  a  mere 
thirst  for  dominion.  When  these  lusts  predominate, 
right  is  forgotten,  national  charters  are  disregarded, 
and  the  most  solemn  treaties  wantonly  violated.  Yes, 
to  gratify  these  detestable  passions,  armies,  consisting 
of  thousands,  have  been  deliberately  sacrificed,  and 
multitudes,  which  no  man  can  number,  have  been 
precipitately  launched  into  the  world  of  spirits.  Alas, 
how  many  into  the  world  of  misery ! 

When  these,  and  many  other  evils  that  might  be 
mentioned,  as  accompanying  war,  are  duly  consider- 
ed, surely  no  one  can  doubt  that  war  is  always  to  be 
deprecated.     Nevertheless,  I  proceed  to  show, 

II.  That  a  nation  may  be  so  treated  by  another, 
as  to  justify,  on  her  part,  a  declaration  of  war,  and 
that  the  same  cannot  be  avoided,  consistently  with 
her  dignity,  her  safety,  and  even  her  independence. 

In  this  dilemma  a  nation  is  involved  when  another, 
in  reference  to  her,  violates, — perseveringly  violates, 
the  law  of  nations.  This  law  I  define  thus : — It  is 
the  common  consent  of  civil  authorities,  from  time  im- 
memorial^ that  all  free  and  indeyendent  nations  pos-^ 
sess  equal  rights  and  are  entitled  to  equal  privileges. 
By  this  consent  nations  are  constituted  a  society, 
differing  only  as  to  magnitude,  from  that  which  ob- 
tains among  individual  free  men.  Hence,  as  among 
individuals,  so  among  nations  equally  fi-ee  and  sove- 
reign, no  one  can  claim  the  right  of  dictating  another ; 


75 

nor  do  it,  without  violating,  as  in  the  one  case  the 
law  of  civil  society,  so  in  the  other  that  of  national 
usage. 

Suppose,  for  the  sake  of  illustration,*  that  one 
man,  though  free,  should  presume  to  enjoin  his  will 
upon  another  equally  free, — suppose  he  should  say 
to  him.  You  shall  neither  buy  nor  sell  at  such  or  such 
a  market ; — or,  finding  him  on  the  highway,  going 
to  or  returning  from  market,  he  should  forcibly  take 
away  his  property  and  injure  his  person  : — Or  sup- 
pose that,  seeing  him  in  the  pursuit  of  some  profita- 
ble business,  he  should  tell  him,  You  shall  pursue 
that  business  no  longer;  perhaps  because  he  is  in 
it  himself  and  wishes  to  monopolize  the  profits  ;  or 
possibly,  because  he  is  so  circumstanced  as  not  to 
be  able  to  engage  in  it,  and  therefore  grudges  his 
neighbor  the  advantage.  Again,  suppose  he  should 
fancy  it  to  be  the  duty  of  this  man  whom  he  has  un- 
dertaken to  control,  to  be  the  enemy  of  every  man  to 
whom  he  is  an  enemy,  and  should  treat  the  man  him- 
self as  an  enemy  when  he  thinks  and  acts  otherwise  : 
— or,  supposing  that,  envying  the  peace  and  pros- 
perity of  this  certain  man,  he  should  employ  his  in- 
fluence, by  secret  missions,  bribery,  &c.,  to  move 
his  neighbors  to  commit  depredations  upon  his  prop- 
erty, or  to  excite  his  own  family  to  mutiny  ; — in  fine. 


*  This  mode  of  illustration,  it  is  hoped,  will  be  excused  by 
those  who  do  not  need  it. 


76 

suppose  him  to  demand  of  this  man,  as  a  matter  of 
superior  right,  any  act  whatever,  as  a  token  of  infe^ 
riority  or  submission  : — suppose,  I  say,  any  one  of 
the  things  mentioned,  and  you  suppose  what  is  a  vi- 
olation of  the  common  rights  of  free  men.  Can  you 
then  for  a  moment  hesitate  as  to  the  duty  of  the  citi- 
zen thus  insuhed  ! — thus  injured  ! — ^If,  indeed,  he 
possess  no  means  of  self-defence — no  means  of  teach- 
ing his  insolent  neighbor  his  duty,  and  of  showing 
to  others  that  he  is  a  free  man,  then,  to  be  sure,  he 
must  peaceably  submit.  And  if  so,  where  his  dig- 
nity, his  safety,  and  his  freedom  ?  They  no  longer 
exist.  But,  if  the  requisite  means  be  at  his  com- 
mand, then  say  you,  and  I  believe  with  united  voice, 
let  him  avail  himself  of  them — let  him,  without  a  mo- 
ment's delay,  repel  the  attacks  of  the  lawless  usurper, 
and  assert  and  maintain  his  own  rights* 

The  application  to  nations  is  perfectly  convenient. 
If  among  the  society  of  nations  equally  free  and 
sovereign,  any  one  presume  to  make  her  will  the  rule 
of  another's  conduct ;  if,  for  instance,  she  prohibit, 
or  attempt  to  prohibit,  a  free  and  neutral  sister,  the 
right  of  trade,  at  any  port  not  legally  blockaded  and 
in  articles  not  contraband ; — if  she  authorize,  or  (un- 
remunerated)  permit  her  armed  vessels  to  molest  the 
merchant  ships  of  her  peaceable  sister, — especially 
to  plunder  her  property,  and  either  to  kill  or  to  im- 
press her  seamen  ; — if  she  attempt  any  monopoly,  or 
even  any  superior  right  upon  the  high  seas,  whichi 


77 

not  only  by  the  law  of  nations,  but  also  of  nature  and 
of  nature's  God,  are  equally  free  to  all ; — if  she  use 
her  influence  by  any  means  to  excite  the  neighbors 
of  a  sister  nation  to  acts  of  aggression  against  her,  or 
to  promote  among  her  own  people,  disaffection  to  her 
government,  and  disunion  of  her  members  ; — if,  I 
say,  a  nation  do  these  things,  then  is  she  guilty  of 
conduct  similar  to  that  supposed  of  a  wicked,  haugh- 
ty, and  domineering  individual,  and  is  worthy  of  the 
same  treatment  to  which,  in  your  minds,  that  indi- 
vidual hath  been  already  adjudged. 

Now,  how  far  the  conduct  of  Great  Britain  toward 
this  country,  for  at  least  five  years  past,  hath  assimi- 
lated her  to  such  an  individual,  I  leave  you,  my  fel- 
low-citizens, to  think  for  yourselves,  claiming  to  my- 
self, as  a  free  man,  the  right  of  doing  the  same.  But 
supposing  the  similitude  to  be  appropriate,  and  that 
the  acts  supposed,  have  been  really  committed: — can 
there,  under  such  a  supposition,  a  single  doubt  re- 
main as  to  the  course  which  this  country,  in  return, 
ought  to  have  pursued?  If,  indeed,  these  insults 
and  depredations  had  not  been  repeated — had  they 
not  been  often  repeated, — and  had  not  a  disposition 
been  manifested,  still  to  repeat  them,  it  might  have 
been  well,  on  the  part  of  this  country,  tc  have  for- 
borne. But  having  given  no  provocation  to  such 
treatment,  having  used,  in  vain,  all  honorable  means 
to  prevent  it,  and  having  already  sustained  considera- 
ble loss,  not  only  of  property  and  reputation,  but 
7* 


78 

even  of  blood ;  and  this,  all  this,  having  been  wan- 
tonly continued,  until  hope  had  become  folly,  and 
delay  subjection  ;  there  remained,  of  course,  for  our 
insulted,  injured  country,  but  two  objects  of  choice  : 
— Either  she  must  tamely  and  dastardly  submit  to 
the  dictates  and  oppressions  of  imperious  Britain,  and 
so  make,  at  once,  a  surrender  of  her  rights,  and  an 
acknowledgment  that  she  is  no  longer  free ;  or,  in 
the  noble  spirit  of  '76,  call  together  her  patriotic 
sons — vest  them  with  authority — furnish  them  with 
arms,  and  say  to  them.  Go, — go  by  sea  and  land, — 
go  vindicate  my  rights,  avenge  my  wrongs,  and  main- 
tain my  LIBERTY,  the  bounteous  gift  of  heaven,  and 
the  invaluable  price  of  your  fathers'  blood.  The 
former  she  has  nobly  disdained, — the  latter,  by  her 
constituted  authorities,  she  has  honorably,  solemnly, 
and  seasonably  done.  Nor  was  ever  a  mother's  man- 
date more  promptly  obeyed.  No  sooner  had  it 
reached  the  ears  of  her  free-born  sons,  than  her  flag 
was  seen  waving  from  every  principal  port  on  her 
meandering  coast,  and  her  standard  planted,  with  her 
banner  unfurled,  at  many  of  the  principal  avenues  to 
the  enemy,  on  her  extensive  frontier.  And  for  what 
purpose  ?  Not  to  invade  the  rights  of  others,  but  to 
protect  her  own  :  and  to  do  which,  we  are  taught,  not 
only  by  the  impulse  of  nature  and  the  dictate  of  rea- 
son, but  by  the  voice  of  Revelation  itself:* — yea,  not 

*  2  Chron.  20  :  15. 


79 

to  do  it,  were  to  sanction  the  vices  of  a  rapacious  foe, 
and  to  pour  contempt  on  the  favors  of  God.  This, 
however,  will  become  more  evident,  while  I  attempt 
to  show 

III.  What  concern  God  has  in  war.     "  The  war 
was  of  God."      Text. 

His  concern  in  this,  as  in  all  human  ailairs,  though 
not  always  manifest,  at  least  not  in  the  same  degree, 
yet  always  exists.  And  that  not  merely  "  as  in  him 
we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our  being  ;"*  but  also, 
as  by  him  all  our  changes  are  meted  : — '*  God  is  the 
judge  ;  he  putteth  down  one,  and  setteth  up  another." t 
*•  I,"  saith  he,  "  form  the  light  and  create  darkness  ; 
I  make  peace  and  create  evil ;  I,  the  Lord,  do  all 
these  things."!  However  strange,  it  is  nevertheless 
evident,  that  God,  for  reasons  cei-Uiinhj  known,  only 
to  himself,  did,  at  an  early  period  of  the  w^orld,  dis- 
cover that  his  secret  arrangements,  in  relation  to  the 
human  family,  provided  for  war  :  hence  the  remarka- 
ble government  which  he  gave  to  the  ancient  He- 
brews,— a  government  in  which  all  the  males  of  Is- 
rael, able  to  bear  arms,  were,  by  divine  command, 
divided,  under  several  captains,  into  companies  of 
thousands,  hundreds,  fifties,  and  tens  ;  ready  for  the 
field,  whenever  the  circumstances  of  the  nation  ren- 
dered it  necessary.  Shall  this  be  urged  as  furnishing 
an  example  of  a  standing  army?      Certainly  not> 

♦  Acts  17  :  28.         f  Psalm  75  :  7,         %  Isaiah  45  :  7, 


80 

without  either  much  ignorance  or  much  sophistry. 
For  the  Israelites  were  not,  Uke  a  standing  army^  a 
standing  expense,  and  a  standing  nuisance  to  the  na- 
tion ;  nor,  like  that,  an  engine  at  the  command  of  a 
lawless  tyrant,  to  impose  his  will  upon  the  people. 
No ;  but  rather  like  an  enrolled  and  well  regulated 
militia, — in  peace,  pursuing  their  civil  employments 
and  defraying  their  own  expenses,  and  yet  bestowing 
so  much  attention  on  the  cultivation  of  military  skill, 
as  to  be  ready,  on  any  emergency,  to  repair  to  the 
theatre  of  action.  I  am  aware  that  it  may  be  said, 
that  God,  in  the  arrangements  made  for  war  among 
the  ancient  Hebrews,  had  a  mystical  design  ; — that 
the  warlike  state  of  the  Hebrews  was  to  prefigure  that 
of  the  gospel  church ;  and  that  the  wars  they  were 
commanded  to  wage,  and  the  conquests  they  were 
enabled  to  gain,  were  typical  of  the  wars  which  we 
are  commanded  to  wage  with  our  spiritual  enemies, 
and  the  conquests  which,  through  grace,  we  are  en- 
couraged to  expect.  All  this  is  readily  granted. 
But  were  the  Hebrews  influenced  by  these  consid- 
erations ?  Or  did  they  not  rather  act  from  the  com- 
mon motives  which  influence  soldiers  ?  or,  at  most, 
from  a  sense  of  present  duty ; — while  the  mystical 
design  remained  to  be  understood  by  the  gospel 
church,  under  the  superior  light  of  the  gospel  dis- 
pensation.*    So,  no  doubt,  God  has  had  a  design 

♦  Eph,  6  :  1 1—17. 


81 

no  less  important  and  no  less  worthy  of  himself,  in 
all  the  wars,  both  ancient  and  modern,  since  the 
commencement  of  this  dispensation ;  nevertheless, 
that  design  remains  to  be  understood  by  the  church 
in  the  greater  light  of  her  millennial  glory,  or  per- 
haps not  fully  until  she  arrives  in  heaven.* 

That  God  has  a  concern  in  war,  appears  in  its 
commencement,  its  progress,  and  its  termination. 

In  its  commencement.  That  he  had  such  a  con- 
cern in  that  war  of  which  our  text  is  a  record,  is  plain- 
ly asserted  :  "  The  war  z^'as  of  God."  In  this,  how- 
ever, as  in  all  other  events  which  give  occasion  for  the 
exercise  of  human  corruptions,  w^e  must  always  dis- 
tinguish between  these  corruptions  and  God's  control 
of  them.  War,  as  already  noticed,  proceeds,  on  the 
part  of  men,  from  their  lusts  ;  nevertheless,  even 
these,  in  then*  propensity  to  w^ar,  as  to  every  other 
outrage,  are  subject  to  the  overruling  power  of  God, 
as  much  as  the  elements  of  nature  ;  and  his  address 
to  the  raging  ocean,  is  no  less  applicable  to  depraved 
man  :  "  Hitherto  shalt  thou  come,  but  no  further  ; — 
here  shall  thy  proud  waves  be  stayed."t  "  The  king's 
heart,"  and  so  the  heart  of  every  human  ruler  and 
of  every  human  being,  "  is  in  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  as 
the  rivers  of  water ;  he  turneth  it  whithersoever  he 
will."t     Hence, 

♦  Matt.  24  :  6,  7.  Rev.  19  :  17, 18.  Isai.  30  :  26.  John 
13  :  7. 

t  Job  38  :  U.  tProv.  21  ;  1. 


83 

Sometimes  when  men  determine  war,  God  pre- 
vents it ;  either  by  checking  their  lusts,  or  frustrating 
their  designs.* 

At  other  times,  he  not  only  permits  in  his  holy 
providence,  circumstances  to  occur,  which  call  those 
corruptions  into  exercise,  but  also  leaves  men  to  pur- 
sue their  dictates,  either  to  conquest  or  to  ruin,  as 
he,  in  his  righteous  sovereignty  may  have  deter- 
mined.t 

And  there  are  also  instances  in  which,  either  by  a 
strange  concurrence  of  providences,  or  by  some  mys- 
terious, ineffable  and  inconceivable  impulse  upon 
the  minds  of  men,  God  manifests  his  concern  in  war, 
by  actually  stimulating  to  it :  ''  The  God  of  Israel 
stirred  up  the  spirit  of  Pul  and  the  spirit  of  Tilgath- 
pilneser,  kings  of  Assyria,"  to  make  war  against  Is- 
rael.— 1  Chron.  5  :  26.  Do  we  find  our  hearts  ri- 
sing in  opposition  to  such  sovereignty?  Let  it  re- 
mind us  that  we  are  depraved,  and  are  not  yet  in  due 
submission  to  Him,  who  is  saying,  "  Be  still,  and 
know  that  I  am  God."  Psalm  46  :  10. 

As  God  has  a  concern  in  the  commencement,  so 
also  in  the  pi'ogress  of  war — which  is  long  or  short, 
severe  or  moderate,  according  to  his  sovereign  con- 
trol. 

*  1  Sam.  23  :  7—17.  and  25  :  26,  34,  and  1  Kings  12  ; 
22—24. 

f  1  Sam.  4  :  9,  10  ;  2  Chron.  35  :  20—24  ;  Deut.  1  : 
42—44 . 


S3 

As  the  hearts  of  all  are  in  his  hand,  he  iniboldens 
or  intimidates  them  at  pleasm-e.* 

As  "  unto"  him  "  belong  the  issues  from  death.*' 
Psalm  68  :  20.  It  cannot  be  reasonably  doubted 
that  the  shafts  of  battle,  as  well  as  of  disease,  are  all 
directed  by  his  sovereign  hand.  Witness  the  stone 
from  David's  sling,  which  prostrated  the  vaunting 
Philistine,  and  the  arrow  from  the  "bow,  which  a 
certain  man  drew  at  a  venture,"  but  which,  divinely 
directed,  penetrated, — fatally  penetrated  "the  king 
of  Israel  betw^een  the  joints  of  the  harness."t  Yea,  if 
not  a  sparrow,  much  less  a  man,  can  fall  to  the  ground 
without  his  will.  Matt.  10  :  29. 

Besides ;  as  at  all  times  and  places  in  common, 
the  destinies  of  all  men  and  of  all  nations  are  in  his 
power,t  30  undoubtedly,  in  times  of  war,  and  at  the 
place  of  battle.  If  not,  why  the  exhortation,  "  Trust 
ye  in  him  at  all  times  ?"  Psalm  62  :  8, — or  why  did 
God  himself  say  to  Israel,  "  The  battle  is  not  yours, 
but  God's."     2  Chron.  20  :  15. 

Nor  is  the  concern  which  God  has  in  the  war,  any 
less  manifest  in  its  termination.  "  He  maketh  wars  to 
cease."  Psalm  46  :  9.  And,  as  of  him  is  the  deci- 
sion of  the  contest  so  also  the  disposal  of  the  conquest. 
"  The  battle  is  the  Lord's."  1  Sam.  17  :  47.     Men, 


*  2  Chron.  20  :  29,  and  2  Kings  7  :  6. 
t  1  Sam.  17  :  49 ;  1  Kings  22  :  34. 
X  2  Chron.  20  :  6;  Psalm  31  :  15. 


S4 

indeed,  commonly  view  these  events  as  depending 
wholly  on  the  comparative  numbers  and  military  skill 
of  the  forces  engaged  ;  or,  if  any  thing  extraordinary 
occm-,  they  attribute  it  usually  to  mere  chance ;  but 
in  reality,  they  are  like  the  lot,  "  The  whole  dispos- 
ing^ thereof  is  of  the  Lord."  Prov.  16  :  33.  That 
"  the  battle,"  as  remarked  by  the  wise  man,  "  is  not 
to  the  strong,"  i.  e.  not  always,  or  not  merely  because 
strong,  is  evident  from  our  text ;  for  the  Israelites, 
compared  with  the  Hagarites,  were  but  few  ;  yet  be- 
ing "  helped,"  divinely  helped  "  against  them,  the 
Hagarites  were  delivered  into  their  hand,  and  all  that 
were  with  them,"  i.  e.  all  their  possessions.  That 
these  events,  however,  depend  on  divine  interposi- 
tion, no  one  surely  can  doubt,  who  for  a  moment  re- 
views them  in  relation  to  the  revolutionary  war  in  this 
country ;  for  then,  to  use  the  language  of  scripture, 
*'  One  chased  a  thousand,  and  two  put  ten  thousand 
to  flight ;"  and  why  ?  Because  the  war,  like  that 
recorded  in  the  text,  was  of  God.  He  moved  our 
fathers  to  engage  in  it — he  conducted  them  through 
the  whole  process,  and  he  crowned  them  with  victo- 
ry and  triumph. 

From  the  consideration  of  the  concern  which  God 
has  in  war,  I  proceed  to  show, 

IV.  What  measures,  especially  in  a  moral  point  of 
view,  are  proper  for  a  nation  to  take  in  relation  to 
war, — when  exempted  from  it — when  threatened  with 
it,  and  when  involved  in  it. 


First.    When  exempted  from  it. 

Dming  such  times,  the  greatest  care  should  be 
taken  to  preserve  neutrahty.  To  this  the  situation 
of  the  United  States  is  pecuUarly  favorable  ;  being 
so  widely  separated  by  water  from  every  other  na- 
tion, from  which  a  war  of  any  consequence  could  be 
apprehended.  The  principles  of  neutrality  are  often 
violated  by  presumptuous  individuals :  but  this  evil 
it  is  in  the  power  of  government  easily  to  remedy, 
by  chastisement  and  remuneration.  O  that  proud 
England  had  dooe  this  !  Then  had  not  our  govern- 
ment, at  this  time,  been  driven  to  the  last,  the  lamen- 
table resort  of  injured  nations. 

While  exempt  from  war,  it  is  of  primary  impor- 
tance in  preserving  the  blessings  of  peace,  that  the  peo- 
ple preserve  unity  of  sentiment  on  the  principal  mea- 
sures of  government :  strict  adherence  to  the  consti- 
tution, the  great  charter  of  national  rights,  and  a 
proper  submission  to  "  the  powers  that  be."*  It  may 
indeed,  often  occur,  that  men  in  office  act  unworthy 
the  trust  reposed  in  them  ;  but,  in  such  cases,  the  rem- 
edy lies  not  in  faction,  riot  and  defamation,  but  in 
elections.  When  these  return,  it  is  the  privilege  of 
the  sovereign  people  to  withhold  their  suffrages  from 
those  who  have  abused  their  confidence,  and  to  give 
them  to  other  and  better  men. 

But,  above  all,  a  nation,  while  exempt  from  the 

*  Romans  13  :  1. 

8 


86 

evils  of  war,  should  habitually  acknowledge  God  as 
the  author  and  preserver  of  the  blessings  of  peace. 
When  he  is  forgotten,  and  the  blessings  enjoyed  are 
ascribed  to  the  merit  of  the  people — the  management 
of  rulers — military  power — or,  indeed  to  any  cause 
whatever,  short  of  divine  goodness,  there  is  reason 
to  expect  public  trouble  at  least,  and,  without  national 
reformation,  the  scourge  of  war.  '•  If,"  said  God  to 
the  joeople  of  Israel,  and  which  is  not  inapplicable 
to  the  2>eople  of  these  United  States, — -"If  ye  be 
willing  and  obedient,  ye  shall  eat  the  good  of  the 
land ;  but  if  ye  refuse  and  rebel,  ye  shall  be  devour^ 
ed  with  the  sword,  for  the  mouth  of  the  Lord  hath 
spoken  it."*  To  this  means  of  advancing  either  the 
prosperity,  or  the  ruin  of  the  nation,  every  individual 
may  contribute,  as  he  may  contribute  either  to  that 
morality,  that  "  righteousness  which  exalte th  a  na- 
tion," or  to  that  immorality,  that  "  sin  which  is  the 
disgrace  of  any  people. "t  However,  when  the  mor- 
al character  of  a  nation  is  taken  into  view,  there  are 
two  classes  in  the  community  which  require  a  more 
than  ordinary  attention. '] 

The  one  class  intended,  unites  those  who,  in  the 
providence  of  God,  are  called  by  the  voice  of  the 
people,  to  transact  the  civil  affairs  of  the  nation  ; 
whether  by  enacting  laws  or  administering  govern- 
ment.    And  as  the  moral  qualifications  requisite  hi 

*  Isai.  1  :  19,  20.  f  Piov.  14  :  34. 


87 

these  men  are  so  much  the  topic  of  popular  clamor, 
it  may  be  proper,  on  this  occasion,  in  some  measure, 
to  investigate  that  subject. 

It  is  contended  by  many,  that  they  ought  to  be 
religious  men.  If  by  religious  be  meant  regenerate, 
then  is  it  indeed  essential  that  they  be  religious  men. 
Not,  however,  to  qualify  them  to  be  statesmen  ;  for  as 
their  work,  in  that  capacity,  is  wholly  of  a  natural 
and  civil  kind,  so  also  the  qualifications,  requisite  to 
perform  it ;  but,  in  order  to  their  own  eternal  salva- 
tion,— for  God  respects  no  man's  person ; — and 
"  Except  a  man,"  whether  great  or  small,  "  be  born 
again,  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  God."  John 
3  :  3. 

But  is  it  not  awfully  to  be  feare:!,  that  the  greater 
part  of  those  who  make  such  an  oatciy  against  states- 
men, wdiom  they  deem  irreligious,  are  themselves 
strangers  to  experimental  religion ;  and  that  their 
ideas  of  religious  men  extend  no  furtJier  than  to  men 
who,  by  education  or  otherwise,  are  cinnected  with 
some  religious  sect,  attend  public  worship,  and  ap- 
proach the  Lord's  table.  But  who  does  not  discov- 
er that  all  this  may  be  true  of  men,  strangers  to  a 
work  of  grace  upon  the  heart,  and  even  of  deists  ? 
That  it  is  the  duty  of  those  who  possess  religion,  to 
profess  it,  and  the  privilege  of  those  who  have  been 
enabled  to  rely  on  the  merits  of  Christ  for  salvation, 
to  commemorate  his  sufferings  in  the  ordinance  of  the 
supper,  is  heartily  admitted ;  but  to  make  a  profes- 


88 

^>ion  of  religion,  especially  a  partaking  at  the  Lord'.s 
table,  a  test  of  qualification  for  civil  office,  is  to  hold 
out  a  strong,  if  not  the  strongest  inducement  to  hypoc- 
risy and  imjjiety.  Should  it  be  said,  they  ought  to 
believe  ;  as  well  might  it  be  said,  they  ought  to  keep 
the  whole  moral  law,  and  so  to  hepcifect.*  But  du- 
ty and  ability  are  two  things.  And  whoever  makes 
such  an  observation  proves,  to  me,  that  he  is  an  utter 
stranger  to  living  faith,  or  he  would  know  it  to  be, 
not  at  the  command  of  the  creature,  but  the  gift  of 
God,  and  a  fruit  of  the  Holy  Ghost.t  If  it  be  said, 
that  it  is  the  duty  of  men  in  public  life,  to  observe, 
and  treat  with  respect,  the  externals  of  religion, |  it 
is  on  'y  saying  what  I  admit  and  contend  is  the  duty 
of  men  in  common.     For  the  command  of  Christ, 


*  Matt.  22  :  37—40.         f  Eph.  2  :  8,  and  Gal.  5  :  22. 

t  Neglect  of  this  duty  hath  been  attributed  to  our  Chief 
Magistrate,  and  to  his  worthy  predecessor,  and  on  which 
account  they  have  been  stigmatized  as  Deists.  The  charge 
is  not  true;*  and  if  it  were,  it  could  no  more  prove  them  to 
be  deists,  than  neglect  of  the  same  duty  proves  many  others 
to  be  so,  who  nevertheless  stand  high  with  their  calumnia- 
tors. Whether  those  great  men  thus  abused,  are  subjects 
of  grace  or  not,  is  known  only  to  God ;  but  of  their  being 
deists,  I  am  bound  to  believe  that  there  is  no  more  evidence 
than  of  moral  men  in  common  being  so,  who  make  no  pro- 
fession of  experimental  religion. 


'^  Thomas  JcfTcrson  constantly  attended  my  ministry  during  the  three  years 
1  was  Chaplain  to  Congress, 


89 

"  Search  the  scriptures,"*  is  binding  on  all,  and  the 
injunction  on  his  ministers,  "  Preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature, "t  plainly  im^Dlies  the  duty  of  every 
creature  to  attend  where  it  is  preached.  But  to  con- 
tend, as  many  seem  to  do,  that  it  is  the  duty  of 
statesmen!  to  profess  experimental  religion,  and  to 
partake  at  the  Lord's  table,  to  set  an  example  to  oth- 
ers, is  to  contend  that  it  is  their  duty  to  be  hypocrites, 
in  order  to  influence  others  to  be  so,  and  to  "  eat  and 
drink  damncUion^'*''  that  h  condemnation,  ox  judgment, 
or  guilt,^  to  themselves,  that,  by  their  example,  they 
may  teach  others  to  do  the  same.  From  such  hy- 
pocrisy and  wickedness  "  good  Lord  deliver  us  !" 
That  it  is  not  the  object  of  those  who  reason  in  that 
way,  to  induce  the  men  now  in  office  in  the  United 
States  to  become  guilty  of  such  crimes,  that  so  they 
might  peaceably  retain  their  several  stations,  is  read- 
ily admitted  ;  for  their  object,  on  the  contrary,  is  to 
have  them  removed :  and  why  ?  Not,  surely,  be- 
cause they  refuse  to  be  guilty  of  hypocjisy  and  imjfi- 
ety !     No ;  but  that  they  might  fill  the  offices  they 


*  Johns  :  39.  f  Mark  16  :  15. 

X  That  is,  because  statesmen  ;  though  they  shoukl  be  uu- 
regenerate. 

§  1  Cor.  11  :  27 — 29.  From  which  scripture  it  is  evident 
that  faith  is  essential  to  an  evangelical  participation  in  that 
sacred  ordinance,  as  without  it  none  can  discern  the  Lord's 
body. 


90 

hold  with  men  of  different  politics.  Should  they 
succeed,  I  pray  God  that  they  may  not  be  per- 
mitted to  substitute  men  already  guilty,  or  who  are 
capable  of  becoming  guilty  of  such  deception  and 
iniquity,  in  order  to  secure  their  favor  !  For  of  all 
men  that  might  be  put  into  power,  such  are  the  most 
dangerous.*  Nor  does  that,  in  my  humble  opinion, 
necessarily  follow,  in  the  event  of  such  a  change  ;  for 
although  our  citizens  have  been,  unhappily,  long  di- 
vided and  distinguished  by  the  appellations  of  Fed- 
eralist and  Reyuhlican,  I  have  always  thought,  and 
now  think,  that  there  are  men  of  equal  integrity,  abili- 
ties, and  patriotism  on  both  sides.  And,  indeed,  the 
distinction  itself  is  as  unfounded  as  it  is  impolitic : 
for,  under  our  government,  no  man  can  be  a  Feder- 
alist without  being  a  Republican,  nor  a  Republican, 
without  being  a  Federalist ;  the  one  having  respect 
to  the  confederacy  of  the  states,  the  other  to  the  sov- 
ereignty of  the  people  ;  and  both  being  comprehend- 
ed in  our  excellent  constitution. 


*  Even  Gallio,  who  *'  cared  for  none  of  these  things,"  bet- 
ter understood  civil  authority,  and  civil  rights,  and  was  more 
favorable  to  the  Apostles  than  the  Jews,  especially  the 
priests,  who  were  great  religionists.  Acts  18  :  12 — 17.  And 
if  some  in  our  country,  who  are  called  christian  ministers, 
or  others  who  adhere  to  them,  were  in  power,  how  soon, 
alas,  would  the  people  be  shackled  with  a  religious,  orraih- 
«i«  au  irreligious  establishment ! 


91 

After  begging  forgiveness  for  so  lengthy  a  digres- 
sion, I  come  to  offer  rny  own  opinion  as  to  the 
moral  qualifications  that  are  desirable  in  statesmen, 
and  the  manner  in  which,  as  such,  they  ought  to  ac- 
knowledge God. 

Their  moral  qualifications :   They  ouglit  to  be 

1.  Men  of  good  morals,  and 

2.  Men  of  liberal  sentiments ; — men  rightly  un- 
derstanding and  duly  appreciating  the  natural  and 
unalienable  rights  of  conscience  ; — men  who,  though 
entitled,  in  common  with  other  men,  to  the  right  of 
religious  opinion,  and  the  choice  of  religious  society, 
yet  claim  no  right  to  control  the  consciences  of  oth- 
ers, nor  to  dictate,  in  matters  of  religion,  to  their 
fellowwTien. 

The  mctnncT  in  ivhich  they,  in  their  official  capaci- 
ty^ ought  to  aclcnowledge  God.      This  they  should  do 

1.  By  submitting  to  him  alone,  the  rights  of  con- 
science, and,  consequently,  leaving  all  sects  and  all 
individuals  to  worship  him,  in  that  way  and  manner 
which,  to  them,  shall  appear  to  be  most  acceptable 
unto  him ;  provided,  however,  that  nothing  in  their 
customs  and  manners  shall  interfere  with  the  rights 
of  others,  nor  with  the  peace  and  good  order  of  civil 
society. 

2.  By  discharging  their  official  duties  with  an  in- 
tegrity becoming  the  solemnities  under  which  they 
entered  into  office,  and  in  which  they  called  upon 
him  to  witness  their  obligations. 

3.  By  acknowledging,  at  times  of  special  emer- 


92 

gency,  their  need  of  his  special  direction,  and  re- 
questing their  constituents  to  unite  with  them  in  im- 
ploring it. 

The  other  class  of  the  community  deserving  spe- 
cial consideration,  are  professors  of  the  christian  reli- 
gion. And  our  duties,  my  brethren,  in  relation  to 
the  subject  before  us,  are  concisely  and  specifically 
stated  in  these  words  of  our  blessed  Master  :  "  Ren- 
der unto  Caesar  the  things  which  are  Caesar's,  and 
unto  God,  the  things  that  are  God's."  Matt.  22  :  21. 
That  is,  unto  civil  authority,  render  obedience  in 
civil  things,  and  unto  God,  and  to  him  only,  render 
obedience  in  spiritual  things  ;  that  so  while  they  at- 
tend to  the  duties  of  the  one,  they  may  not  neglect 
those  of  the  other.  Christians  should  recollect  that, 
as  they  "  are  the  salt  of  the  earth,"  in  common,  so 
in  particular  of  the  nations  in  which  they  respectively 
dwell ;  and  therefore  that,  as  it  is  their  duty  to  use  all 
means  to  preserve  peace  and  good  order  in  the 
churches,  with  which  they  are  connected,  so  also  in 
the  nations  to  which  they  belong.  Especially  they 
should  be  in  the  habit  of  returning  thanks  to  God,  as 
for  all  other  blessings,  so  for  the  peace  and  prosperity 
of  their  nation,  and  of  praying  for  *'  all  that  are  in  au- 
thority ;  that  we  may  lead  a  quiet  and  peaceable  life 
in  all  godliness  and  honesty."     1  Tim.  2  :  2. 

As  there  are  certain  measures  in  relation  to  war, 
proper  to  be  taken  by  a  nation  when  exempted  from 
it,  so 

Secondly.     When  threatened  with  it.    Here  much 


93 

might  be  said  as  to  erecting  fortifications,  preparing 
military  stores,  raising  and  arranging  forces,  &c.,  &c., 
but  these  I  leave  to  statesmen,  confining  myself  to 
what  is  of  a  moral  nature,  and  which,  therefore, 
comes  more  immediately  within  my  province. 

As  vjar,  like  every  other  judgment,  is  procured  by 
sin,  the  first  act  of  a  nation  when  threatened  with  it, 
should  be  public  humiliation.  And  this,  as  all  are 
equally  concerned,  ought  to  be  as  general  as  possi- 
ble ;  and  therefore  it  is  proper  that  a  day  or  days  for 
that  purpose  be  recommended  by  the  national  gov- 
ernment. Not  indeed  to  make  it  the  duty  of  the 
people  to  fast  and  pray ;  for  that  is  already  done  by 
the  authority  of  God  himself,  and  by  the  example  of 
his  ancient  servants  ;*  and  if  it  were  not,  no  human 
authority  could  make  it  so  ;t  but  to  secure  the  object 
just  mentioned,  unanimity :  that  so,  from  all  the  wor- 
shipping assemblies  in  the  nation,  the  cries  of  the 
saints  may  ascend  in  one  common  and  united  prayer 
to  the  throne  of  mercy,  for  pardon  of  accumulated 
guilt,  and  preservation  from  threatened  evil.     Such 

*  Zech.  8  :  19.  Luke  5  :  35.  Ezra  8  :  21—23.  Jer. 
36  :  9.  Joel  2  :  15—18.  This,  indeed,  like  all  other  ex- 
ternal acts  of  religion,  may  be  enjoined  and  observed  both 
by  public  and  private  persons,  as  a  mere  specious  show  of 
piety,  and  then  it  is  an  abomination  to  God.  See  1  Kings 
21  :  7—13.  Isai.  58  :  2—7.  Matt.  6  :  16.  But  the  abuse 
of  a  duty  can  never  nullify  it. 

f  Matt.  15  :  9. 


94 

was  the  counsel  of  king  Jehosaphat,  and  such  the 
conduct  of  all  Judea.     2  Chron.  20  :  3,  4. 

But  suppose  the  cloud  should  still  thicken,  and 
either  submission  or  war  become  inevitable ;  it  is 
then  the  duty  of  the  constituted  authorities  of  the  na- 
tion to  act  as  recommended  in  the  case  supposed  by 
Christ;  Luke  14  :  31,  32,  that  is,  to  consult  whether 
they  possess  a  sufficient  power  to  afford  a  reasonable 
probability  of  success,  should  they  engage  in  war ; 
if  not,  let  them  propose  peace,  which  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred on  almost  any  terms,  rather  than  a  wanton  and 
unsuccessful  effusion  of  blood ;  but  if  a  sufficient 
force  be  at  command  to  defend  the  rights,  and  pre- 
serve the  property  of  themselves  and  their  constitu- 
ents, let  them  recommend  an  immediate  appeal  to 
arms,  and  let  all  the  people  heartily  acquiesce.* 
Hence 

Thirdly.  The  measures  which,  in  relation  to  w^ar, 
are  proper  for  a  nation  to  take,  when  involved  in  it. 
This,  at  least,  as  to  form,  is  the  present  condition  of 
these  United  States.  And  although  I  make  no  pre- 
tensions to  special  discernment,  and  much  less  to  a 
spirit  of  prophecy,  yet  as  I  have  uniformly  said  for 
seven  years  past,  I  still  say,  that,  of  war  in  this  coun- 
try, there  will  be  little  more  than  the  form.  This 
opinion  is  founded  in  the  firm  persuasion  that  all  the 


*  This  is  plainly  implied  in  the  supposed  case  already  al- 
luded to. 


95 

modern  wars  that  have  occurred  among  the  nations 
of  the  earth,  are  procured  by  that  anti-christian  abom- 
ination, a  U7iio?i  of  church  and  state;  and  as  this 
abomination  does  not  exist  in  our  country,  and  is  not 
provided  for  in  our  national  constitution,  so  neither 
shall  we  share  in  the  "  overflowing;  scour2:e"  which 
is  designed  to  remove  it.  At  Canada  indeed  it  ex- 
ists, and  British  squadrons  under  the  sanction  of  it, 
are  cruising  on  our  coasts ;  and  therefore  it  is  with- 
in the  limits  of  my  opinion  already  expressed,  that  it 
may  in  those  situations,  occasion  distress  and  blood- 
shed. And  as  it  hath  been  attempted  in  some  of  our 
eastern  states,  what  degree  of  trouble  they  may  ex- 
perience on  account  of  it,  I  will  not  pretend  to  de- 
termine. Of  this,  however,  I  have  no  doubt,  that  all 
governments  under  heaven,  in  which  that  abomina- 
tion has  a  being,  must  be  shaken  to  their  centre,  and 
so  changed  in  their  forms,  as  to  be  no  longer,  as  they 
now  are,  obstacles  to  the  "  free  course"  of  the  gos- 
pel, and  the  equal  enjoyment  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty.  The  government  of  the  Jevrs,  which  was 
originally  a  theocracy,  became,  indeed,  by  divine  per- 
mission,* a  monarchy  ;  and  the  Jewish  nation,  with 
their  two-fold  officers  of  kings  and  priests,  was,  it  is 
admitted,  a  figure  of  the  gospel  church  ;  but  then,  as 
the  antitype  of  their  offerings  was  found  in  the  saci'l- 
jice^^  so  that  of  their  kings  and  priests  in  the  'j)ersoii 

*  1  Sam  8:7.  f  Fleb.  9  :  11  — 14. 


96 

of  the  MESSIAH,*  who  is  not  only  the  substance 
of  preceding  shadows,  but  also  at  once  "  King  in 
Zion,"  and  the  great  High  Priest  of  our  profession. 
Hence,  as  at  his  death,  the  Aaronic  order  and  cere- 
monial service  of  right  for  ever  ceased, t  so  at  his 
resurrection^  the  power  and  authority  of  all  human 
kings.  Nevertheless,  as  the  ceremonies  of  the  law 
were  presumptuously  persisted  in  by  the  Jews,  until 
the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  w4ien  it  was  no  longer 
possible,  the  temple  and  its  furniture  being  destroyed ; 
so  have  the  nations  of  the  earth  presumptuously  per- 
sisted, and  will  continue  so  to  persist,  in  the  support 
of  kings  and  kingly  governments,  until  the  effectual 
destruction  of  anti-christian  power,  both  civil  and 
ecclesiastical ;  and  then  shall  be  taken  up  that  doleful 
lamentation,  "  Babylon  the  great  is  fallen,  is  fallen, 
&c.  For  all  the  nations  have  drunk  of  the  wine  of 
the  wrath  of  her  fornication,  and  the  kings  of  the 
earth  have  committed  fornication  with  her,"  &c.,  &c. 
Rev.  18  :  2,  S.^ 

But  to  return  :  However  confident  I  feel  that  the 
present  war  will  not  prove  an  overjloiving  scourge  to 
our  country,  I  do  not,  on  this  account,  wish  any  re- 

*  Heb.4  :  14.     Rev.  17  :  14. 

f  Dan.  9  :  24— 29.     Col.  2  :  14— IT. 

X  This  is  probably  the  true  sense  of  Rom.  1  :  4,  power, 
meaning  authority.  See  also  Acts  2  ;  22 — 36.  Here  he  is 
at  once  made  Lord  and  Christ,  the  ruler  and  (he  priest. 

§  See  also  Ezck.  21  :  27.     Daniel  7  :  9.     Psa.  72  :  10. 


97 

laxation  in  the  use  of  means  ;  for  it  is  by  these,  I  be- 
lieve, that  God  will  preserve  us.  And  therefore,  as 
Paul,  although  he  had  a  vision  from  Heaven  assuring 
him  that  there  should  be  no  loss  of  the  crew,  never- 
theless said  to  the  mariners,  concerning  means,  "  ex- 
cept these  abide  in  the  ship,  ye  cannot  be  saved  ;"* 
so  much  more  may  I,  having  but  a  general  view  of 
the  scriptures  in  support  of  my  opinion,  and  being 
like  men  in  common,  liable  to  err,  say  to  the  rulers 
and  people  of  our  nation,  without  the  mea?is  of  de- 
fence, ye  cannot  be  secured  from  the  evils  threatened : 
yea,  to  expect  it,  would  be  presumption.  As  to  the 
means  proper  to  be  used,  there  can  be  no  reasonable 
doubt. 

A  primary  object  with  every  citizen,  public  and 
private,  in  church  and  state,  should  be  to  promote 
union,  and  firmness  in  the  support  of  government. 
*^  A  house,"  a  family — a  nation  "  divided  against  it- 
self, cannot  stand."t  On  a  disunion  of  the  states 
and  disafiection  to  the  general  government,  the  ene- 
my chiefly  relies.  Whoever,  therefore,  contributes 
to  these,  contributes  to  the  interest  and  encourage- 
ment of  the  common  foe  of  our  beloved  country ;  and 
is  therefore  no  longer  worthy  the  honorable  distinc- 
tion of  an  American  citizen. 

Means,  though  to  be  used,  are  not  to  be  trusted 
in.     God  alone  should  be  the  object  of  our  trust ;  so 

•Acts  27: 31.  t  Mark  S  :  23. 

9 


98 

of  Israel  It  is  said  in  the  text,  "  they  trusted  in  him." 
Let  us  do  likewise.  He  only  can  give  that  wisdom 
to  our  rulers,  and  that  success  to  our  forces,  which 
are  necessary  to  conquest. 

And  as  he  is  to  be  trusted  in,  so  also  to  be  called 
upon  ;  and  that  not  only  in  common,  nor  only  in 
common  during  icar,  but  even  in  the  time  of  battle : 
"  they  cried  to  God  in  the  battle," — nor  did  they 
cry  in  vain ;  "he  was  entreated  of  them ;  because 
they  trusted  in  him."  Prayer  then  for  success  of 
arms,  is  evidently  lawful,  and  availing.  It  hath  been 
offered  by  God's  Israel,  and  answered  by  Israel's 
God.  May  we,  and  may  all  God's  people  in  these 
United  States  abound  in  it !  Then  may  we  hope  for 
a  short  war,  and  an  advantageous  peace. 

To  the  declaration  of  war  lately  made,  on  the  part 
of  our  government,  we  all  know  there  are  many  ob- 
jections. But  when  we  consider  whence  they  come  ; 
— that  from  the  same  quarter,  eleven  years  ago,  the 
chambers  of  the  capitol  rang  with  argimients  in  favor 
of  an  appeal  to  arms  for  taking  Louisiana ;  which, 
in  the  wisdom  of  our  then  chief  magistrate  was,  to 
much  greater  advantage,  honorably  purchased  ;  and 
that  the  same  men  who  accuse  the  present  adminis- 
tration of  madness^  for  going  to  war,  when,  in  fact, 
there  w^as  no  other  resort,  no  less  accused  the  former 
administration  of  jiusillanimilijy  for  pursuing  milder 
measures,  notwithstanding  there  certainly  did  then 
remain  grounds  of  hope  that  a  reconciliation  might 


99 

be  effected ; — when,  I  say,  these  things  are  consid- 
ered, we  are  tempted,  strongly  tempted,  to  doubt,  in 
this  particular,  their  sincerity,  and  to  conclude  that 
all  the  outcry  is  intended  only  to  answer  electioneer- 
ing purposes,  and  to  put  the  administration  into  other 
hands. 

It  is  urged  that,  had  it  been  proper  for  our  govern- 
ment to  declare  w  ir,  it  should  have  been  declared 
against  France,  as  well  as  England.  That  the  con- 
duct of  France,  tow^ard  this  country,  has  been  very 
unwarrantable,  is  not  denied  ;  nor  yet  that  a  national 
adjustment  with  her  may  hereafter  be  necessary.  It 
must  be  obvious,  however,  that  the  principal  provo- 
cations to  war  have  been  only  on  the  part  of  England  : 
France  has  indeed  robbed  us  on  the  highway  of  na- 
tions, and  even  burnt  our  vessels ;  nevertheless  she 
has  not,  like  England,  impressed  our  citizens,  block- 
aded our  harbors,  and  crimsoned  our  w^aters  with 
American  blood. 

It  is  contended  that  the  declaration  of  war  at  all 
was  impolitic.  I  cannot  think  so ;  but  believe  that 
this  declaration  and  correspondent  arrangements, 
were,  of  all  means,  the  most  likely  to  procm-e  peace — 
lasting  and  honorable  peace. 

The  present,  however,  is  not  the  time  to  contest 
that  point.  When  the  flames  are  raging,  it  is  too 
late  for  firemen  to  stand  disputing  whether,  by  certain 
means,  they  might  not  have  been  prevented  from 
kindling ;  their  duty  then  is  to  unite  in  quenching 


100 

them.  The  flames  of  war  are  already  kindled — ^they 
are  gathermg  along  our  coast  and  threatening  upon 
our  frontiers ;  the  duty — the  common  duty,  there- 
fore, of  i\.merican  citizens  is,  to  use  all  means  in 
their  power,  to  bring  the  contest  to  the  most  speedy 
and  most  favorable  issue. 

Yes,  my  friends,  the  time  for  idle  and  speculative 
debate  is,  with  us,  at  an  end.  We,  in  holy  provi- 
dence, are  placed  in  a  situation  which  demands  the 
greatest  national  unity  and  exertion ;  and  which,  in 
its  result,  must  necessarily  furnish  occasion  for  the 
greatest  national  triumph  or  lamentation.  From  the 
latter  may  we  be  mercifully  preserved  !  In  the  for- 
mer may  we  soon  participate !  And  all  the  glorjr 
shall  redound  to  God.     Amen. 


HYMN, 

Sung  at  the  close  of  Puhlic   Worship,  when  tiie  'preceding 
Sermon  was  delivered. 

1  Great  God  of  all!  thy  matchless  power 
Should  every  nation  still  adore ; 
Thee,  our  sovereign,  we  would  own, 
And  bow  before  thy  gracious  throne. 

2  May  peace  her  balmy  wing  extend, 
Froin  age  to  age  upon  this  land  ! 

Grant  Freedom  and  the  Gospel's  sound  I 
Make  every  blessing  here  abound ! 

3  Our  President  with  wisdom  crown, 
His  soul  with  thy  rich  grace  adorn  ; 
Resolve  his  heart,  'midst  all  his  foes, 

*'  To  launch  the  stream  which  duty  shows." 

4  Over  our  Capitol  diffuse, 

From  hills  divine,  thy  welcome  dews  ; 
While  Congress,  in  one  patriot  band, 
Prove  the  firm  fortress  of  our  land. 

5  Our  Magistrates,  O  Lord,  sustain. 
Nor  let  them  bear  the  sword  in  vain  ; 
Long  as  they  fill  their  awful  seat. 
Be  Vice  seen  dying  at  their  feet. 

6  For  ever  from  the  western  sky, 
Bid  the  destro^dn?  angel  fly  ; 

With  grateful  songs  our  hearts  inspire, 
And  round  us  blaze  "a  tvall  ofjire.^^ 

Parkinson's  Select.  H.  402. 
9* 


NO  TE. 

The  foregoing  sermons  have  been  long  out  of  print,  and 
are  republished  by  the  desire  of  many  of  the  personal  friends 
of  the  Rev.  William  Parkinson.  Any  imperfection  that 
may  be  discovered  in  the  reprint,  will  not,  it  is  hoped,  be 
laid  to  his  charge,  as  bodily  illness  has,  for  a  long  time,  kept 
him  from  active  labor,  and  has  prevented  his  usual  accurate 
revision.  It  is  now,  (in  the  year  1846,)  just  half  a  century 
since  he  arrived  at  manhood,  was  baptized,  and  immedi- 
ately afterward  entered  upon  the  duties  of  a  minister  of  the 
gospel ;  and  while  some  of  his  maturer  labors  are  here  again 
laid  before  the  public,  it  may  be  profitable  to  look  back  to 
those  of  his  early  years,  to  see  how  his  time  was  employed, 
and  what  example  he  set  before  the  world.  A  letter  to  his 
venerated  parents,  written  forty-eight  years  ago,  and  sub- 
sequently found  among  their  papers,  is  therefore  appended. 
Its  publication  at  this  time,  has  also  been  requested  by  some 
of  his  friends.  It  is  apparent,  from  the  tenor  of  this  letter, 
that  to  the  most  devoted  filial  regard  and  respect  to  his  beloved 
parents,  he  united  ardent  zeal  in  the  sacred  work  he  had 
undertaken,  and  his  early,  pious  example,  will  not  be  with- 
out a  salutary  influence  upon  his  youthful  readers,  while 
the  more  aged  portion,  especially  those  who  sat  under  his 
long  and  faithful  ministry,  will  be  equally  gratified  with  its 
perusal. 


'#•• 


103 


CarroVs  Manor,  Md.,  Sept.  17, 1798, 

Dearly  Beloved  Parents  : 

When  I  review  the  length  of  time  which  has  past 
since  I  left  you,  sorrow  fills  my  heart,  and  shame 
covers  my  face,  to  think  I  have  never  since  written 
unto  you — to  you,  who,  under  God,  have  guarded  my 
infant  state,  and  provided  for  my  rising  years.  But 
when  I  recollect  the  cause  of  my  not  writing,  I  am 
less  concerned  for  the  omission.  I  am  sure  it  has 
not  been  because  I  have  forgotten  you,  nor  yet  for 
want  of  a  sufficient  regard  for  you.  You  are  seldom, 
for  any  considerable  length  of  time  together,  out  of 
my  mind,  and  daily  does  your  present  and  eternal 
happiness  make  a  part  of  my  addresses  at  the  Divine 
Throne. 

I  doubt  not  that  you  wish  to  hear  of  my  return 
home  ;  this,  through  Sovereign  mercy,  was  with  safe- 
ty, health  and  happiness.  I  was  permitted  to  fulfil 
all  my  appointments  on  my  return,  and,  to  the  praise 
of  the  Glory  of  Grace,  enjoyed  much  of  the  Divine 
presence  and  assistance  in  preaching.  The  extreme 
heat  of  the  weather  the  first  two  days  after  I  left  you, 
much  exhausted  my  feeble  body,  but  Jesus  greatly 
comforted  my  poor  soul.  I  arrived  at  Tramelsburg 
on  the  Saturday  evening  after  I  left  you,  about  half 
an  hour  before  sunset.  That  is  within  six  miles  of 
Carrol's  Manor.  I  preached  there  on  Lord's  day,  to 
a  pretty  large  and  attentive  congregation,  and  after 


m 


104 

preaching,  came  on  home.  The  week  after  I  re- 
turned home,  I  enjoyed  an  uncommon  degree  of 
heahh,  and  an  equal  degree  of  consolation, — every 
member  of  my  body  was  strung  with  vigor,  and  every 
power  of  my  soul  rejoiced  in  Jesus.  The  next 
week,  however,  both  the  health  of  my  body  and 
the  happiness  of  my  mind  were  greatly  depreciated. 
I  was  taken  first  with  a  pain  in  my  head  and  breast, 
which  was  succeeded  by  a  severe  bilious  attack,  and 
which,  for  one  night  especially,  seemed  likely  to  open 
my  way  to  eternity.  The  counsels  of  Heaven,  how- 
ever, were  otherwise  planned  ;  I  was  again  restored. 
I  lost  but  two  days  from  school,  and,  though  in  much 
weakness  of  body,  I  was  privileged  to  fulfil  all  my  ap- 
pointments to  preach.  Since  my  recovery  from  the 
illness  now  mentioned,  which  lasted  but  about  a 
week,  I  have  been  very  healthy  till  to-day.  This 
day  I  am  much  afflicted  with  a  pain  in  my  head,  and 
a  general  debility  of  body.  Where  it  will  end  God 
only  knows.  It  reminds  me,  however,  of  the  ancient 
declaration,  "  Dust  ihou  art,  and  unto  dust  must  thou 
return."  But,  thanks  be  to  God,  "None  of  these 
things  trouble  me,  for  though  my  outward  man  per- 
ish, yet  my  inward  man  is  renewed  day  by  day,"  and 
although  my  "  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle  were 
dissolved,"  I  humbly  trust  "  I  have  a  building  of  God, 
an  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heav- 
ens." 2  Cor.  5  :  1. 

Agreeably  to  expectation  when  I  left  you,  I  was 


105 

permitted  to  attend  an  Association  at  Tuscarora  Val- 
ley. On  my  journey  out  I  had  the  company  of  my 
beloved  brother,  Jeremiah  Moore,  and  three  others  of 
the  friends  of  Jesus.  At  our  Association  there  were 
eight  ministers,  and  a  considerable  concourse  of  peo- 
ple. There  was  great  attention  given,  while  nine 
sermons  were  delivered,  and  we  were  blest  with 
peace  and  unanimity  in  the  execution  of  our  business. 
On  my  return  home  I  had  the  good  company  of  the 
brethren  who  went  out  with  me,  with  the  addition  of 
my  precious  brother  and  father  in  the  gospel,  Lewis 
Richards.  Since  my  return  from  the  Association,  I 
have  received  two  letters  from  brother  Richards,  and 
have  written  two  to  him.  He  is  to  be  up  to  preach 
at  Carrol's  Manor  the  last  Lord's  ^day  in  this 
month  ;  but,  greatly  to  my  regret,  by  reason  of  ap- 
pointments which  I  sent  out  before  I  received  his  let- 
ters, I  shall  on  that  day  be  about  sixty  miles  from 
home. 

I  often,  yea,  daily  think  on  the  situation  of  the 
people  in  George's  Hills,  and  long  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel to  them,  but  alas  !  I  think  and  wish  in  vain.  My 
confinement  to  my  school,  together  with  the  demand 
for  my  preaching  here,  forbids  even  the  most  distant 
probability  of  seeing  you  before  some  time  next  sum- 
mer. The  thought  to  me  is  painful,  but  the  words 
occur,  "  Peace,  be  still,  and  know  that  I  am  God." 
Has  Divine  Providence  thus  separated  us  from  each 
other  ? — let  us  learn  in  reverence  to  say,   *'  It  is  the 


106 

Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good."  One 
privilege  we  have  got,  and  O  !  may  we  use  it.  While 
absent  in  body,  it  is  our  privilege  to  be  present  with 
the  Lord — to  address  the  Divine  Throne  for  the  hap- 
piness of  each  other. 

I  would  fondly  have  written  letters  to  several  of  the 
different  members  of  your  Church  ;  especially  to  those 
whom  I  had  the  happiness  to  baptize.  But  as  the 
multitude  of  my  concerns  do  not  afford  me  time,  I  beg 
you  will  kindly  remember  me  to  all,  while  I  remain, 
Your  unworthy,  but 

very  affectionate  son, 

Wm.  Parkinson, 


■•■■  *•' 


